Date face mask

Date face mask (Date-masuku (だてマスク or 伊達マスク)), refers to a person who wears a surgical mask for a non-medical or non-hygienic purpose. Especially, in Japan, date face mask has become more common since the inception of the COVID-19 pandemic.

History

Aftermath of 2009 swine flu pandemic

In Japan, after the 2009 swine flu pandemic, some young people in urban areas continued to use face masks.

Aftermath of Covid-19 pandemic

Beginning in 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic began in Japan, the Government of Japan, authorities, companies, and schools required people to wear masks outside of private residences.

On 10 February 2023, the government of Japan officially said using a face mask was a personal choice starting 13 March 2023.[1] Many people continued to wear masks, especially inside of buildings and trains. A report from Nippon TV, on 10 April 2023, found that 85.6% of pedestrians near Tokyo Station were still wearing a face mask.[2]

Motivations

Those who wear face masks for non-medical or non-hygienic purposes cite multiple motivations. These include:

  1. A sense of calm or security[3]
  2. Avoiding public scolding for not wearing a mask[3]
  3. Insecurities related to one's face[3]
  4. Concealing one's identity
  5. Avoiding conversations
  6. Having more confidence when in conversations
  7. Concealing facial expressions
  8. To hide sleepiness at work
  9. Cosmetic purpose to moisturize lips and face from dryness when sleeping.
  10. UV protection
  11. Concealing that they are not wearing makeup or not clean shaven
  12. Prevention of an unpleasant smell from breath
  13. An appeal to sympathy, as might be extended to unwell/sick people

See also

References
  1. "Mask Use Guidance Starting From 13 March 2023" (PDF). The government of Japan. 2023-02-10. Retrieved 2023-05-16.
  2. "マスク"個人の判断"まもなく1か月…着用率は大きく減らず 東京駅前映像のAI解析で". 日本テレビ. 2023-05-16. Retrieved 2023-04-21.
  3. "マスクで隠す素の自分 よそおう―1". asahi.com. 2011-01-29. Retrieved 2023-05-16.
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