Join Our Newsletter
  • Visit Our Store
  • Come Write for J-List!
J-List Blog
Visit J-List - Your Favorite Online Shop and Friend in Japan
  • Featured
  • News
  • Gallery
  • Product Reports
  • Your Friend in Japan
No Result
View All Result
J-List Blog
  • Featured
  • News
  • Gallery
  • Product Reports
  • Your Friend in Japan
No Result
View All Result
J-List Blog
No Result
View All Result

What’s up with those Japanese Surgical Masks?

Peter Payne by Peter Payne
6 years ago
in Your Friend in Japan

Japanese Surgical Masks Anime

What’s up with those Japanese Surgical Masks? I’ll Tell You.

There are certain things foreigners are surprised to find when they visit Japan for the first time. Taxis with doors that open automatically. Vending machines selling exotic canned coffee and corn soup. Toilet seats that wash your butt for you. Also, the high number of surgeons in Japanese cities, wearing surgical masks as they rush around to get to their next operating room appointment. Or that’s how it looks to us, when we first see the large number of people wearing protective face masks in public. Here are some facts on Japanese surgical masks…

  • They’re worn for protection from germs. Japan has very high levels of hygiene, and wearing face masks adds to this general feeling of cleanliness.
  • Etiquette. If you have a cold or allergies, it’s good manners to wear a mask so you don’t get your germs on others.
  • Social reasons. Wearing a face mask makes you feel like you’ve got a little privacy on a crowded commuter train. Young people report they “feel calm with a face mask on.”
  • Warmth. Wearing one of these masks in winter can be quite toasty.
  • Food hygiene. Anyone making or serving food will wear one of these masks to reassure customers that it’s safe to eat.
  • Women can wear these face masks and get away with not putting on make-up.
  • There are various kinds of Japanese surgical masks, including ones with inner frames that make them comfortable to wear all day, special masks that keep glasses from fogging up, and types specially designed for hay fever season. In the 1970s, Japan made the short-sighted decision to standardize all forestry on one type of tree (Japan cedar), which had the unintended result of creating millions of allergy sufferers in the country.
  • These masks are popular all over Asia, for example in Chinese cities to protect against pollution. Taiwan has a specific tradition of making large, flamboyant masks with bright decorations on them, which sometimes become fashionable in Japan.
  • Japanese surgical masks date back to the Spanish Flu outbreak of 1918, exactly a century ago. The custom of wearing face masks caught on then and never went away.
  • These face masks made a certain duck quite famous. When AFLAC founder John Amos visited the Osaka Expo in 1970, he was surprised at the face masks around him, which indicated a high interest in health. He made the decision to enter the Japanese insurance market, investing $10,000 to open a branch. Today Aflac does $23 billion in sales, mostly in Japan.

Leaderboard Fxyub

Our friends over at Nutaku have a sick looking game coming soon: Tits ‘n’ Tanks. It’s in pre-registration right now which means you can get some nice rewards so when the game releases you have some great free starting gifts! TnT is real time anime-style tank warfare experience! Upgrade and customize your tanks while you ‘interact’ with the hot anime babes in the top tank college in the world! Featuring live 5v5 PVP matches and a full single player story driven campaign, this game is sure to get your blood pumping.

Tags: anime figuresNendoroidonaholes

More Posts Like This

Nijojo Castle, Built In 1603
Your Friend in Japan

Tourism to Return to Japan! When Will You Plan Your Next Trip?

by Peter Payne
1 year ago

Japan is buzzing because finally, after two years, the country is poised to open up to tourism from the outside...

Why Does Japan Love Great Britain Senpai So Much?
Your Friend in Japan

Why Does Japan Love Great Britain-Senpai So Much?

by Peter Payne
1 year ago

When I'm not watching anime to prepare for my next blog post or working on a visual novel translation, you...

The Saddest Anime Deaths Blog

The Top 14 Anime Deaths! Which Ones Affected You the Most?

1 year ago
Does Sarcasm Exist In Japan?

Does Sarcasm Exist in the Japanese Language? Let’s Find Out!

1 year ago
A Couple Of Cuckoos Anime Blog

Need a Wholesome Rom-Com? Watch ‘A Couple of Cuckoos’!

1 year ago
Summer Time Render Anime

‘Summer Time Rendering’ Raises Questions for the Future of Anime

1 year ago
Next Post
Who Is Your Anime Waifu Blog Post

The Scourge of Anime Waifu Wars

Trending Today

Tan Fighters List1 6
Featured

Lovely Tanned Fighters Who Need No Protection

3 days ago
Roxy Migurdia Blog Post
Figures

This is the Roxy Migurdia Figure We All Needed!

20 hours ago
Summer Heat Anime Fan Service
Your Friend in Japan

Summer Heat! What Were the Best Fan Service Moments This Season?

1 week ago
Neko Pako Fuck Paradise
Adult Toy Reviews [NSFW]

J-List’s Top 11 Hentai Cosplay JAV Works

3 years ago
Bang Dream! It's My Go!!!!! Cgi Anime Blog Post
Your Friend in Japan

Is BanG Dream! Good Enough to Overcome Bad CGI Anime?

5 days ago
Get the Newest Figures from J-List - Your Favorite Online Shop and Friend in Japan
Why Are There So Many Characters Named Sakura
Your Friend in Japan

Why Are So Many Anime Characters Named Sakura?

by Peter Payne
September 26, 2023

16 Ways Being an Anime Otaku Makes You Happier!

Why Are So Many Anime Characters Named Sakura?

Gears of Dragoon: Fragments of a New Era Updates Classic Dungeon Crawler for Modern Audiences

New Spy x Family PV Reveals New Theme Songs

Meet the AIV No. 3, a New A.I.-Designed Ero Toy From Tamatoys!

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Discord
  • YouTube

© J-LIST. All trademarks, characters and images are property of their respective owners.

No Result
View All Result
  • Featured
  • News
  • Gallery
  • Product Reports
  • Your Friend in Japan

© J-LIST. All trademarks, characters and images are property of their respective owners.