Domestic manufacturers and retailers have geared up their efforts in marketing pollen-resistant products, targeting the upcoming hay fever season where pollen levels are expected to be higher than those the previous spring in many parts of the country.
As high temperatures last summer led to abundant production of cedar and cypress flowers, the amount of pollen is expected to increase two to 10 times more than the previous spring on average, according to the Japan Weather Association.
Major convenience store chain Lawson Inc. set up in its stores a special corner dedicated to hay fever products from mid-January, around two weeks earlier than the previous year.