World Feb 24, 2021
Millions of masks to be sent to households in Biden equity plan
U.S. President Joe Biden will announce a program to send cloth masks to disadvantaged communities to curb the coronavirus pandemic.
World / Science & Health Feb 9, 2021
No masking the obvious: Experts urge better approach to face coverings
As new, more transmissible variants of the coronavirus spread, experts are backing medical-grade respirators or the use of surgical and cloth masks together.
World Jan 31, 2021
Countries tighten borders against virus as U.S. orders mask-wearing
in the U.S., the CDC issued a sweeping order requiring the wearing of masks on virtually every form of public transportation throughout the country.
World Jan 30, 2021
CDC orders sweeping U.S. transportation mask mandate as COVID-19 rages
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a sweeping order late Friday requiring the use of face masks on nearly all forms of public transportation Monday as the country continues to report thousands of daily COVID-19 deaths. The order, which takes effect ...
National Jan 30, 2021
Use of masks by Japanese news anchors sparks debate among public and industry
After TV Tokyo anchor Mariko Oe asked viewers for feedback, the network received over 1,000 comments of which approximately 80% saw the move in a favorable light.
World Jan 23, 2021
WHO says fabric face masks still work against virus variants
The World Health Organization said Friday it had no plans to change its guidance recommending fabric face masks as new coronavirus variants spread, because the mutated strains are transmitted in the same way. Germany and Austria have made medical masks mandatory on public transport and ...
World / Science & Health Jan 20, 2021
Germany toughens mask rules in hopes of slowing virus spread
Germany becomes the first major European country to require medical-grade protection in shops and public transit.
National Jan 19, 2021
49-year-old university exam-taker arrested over refusal to leave toilet
The test-taker in Tokyo disobeyed exam supervisors' instructions to cover their nose, despite being told to do so seven times in total.
Business Jan 7, 2021
Masks no obstacle for new facial recognition system from Japan's NEC
by Chris Gallagher
The firm had been working on a system to meet the needs of allergy sufferers who wear masks when the COVID-19 pandemic prompted it to accelerate development.
National Dec 23, 2020
Japan residents urged to wear masks at home as cases soar
by Masumi Suga
Koike and other prefectural leaders have urged older people and people with underlying health issues — and those living with them — to don masks at home during the New Year break.
National / Media | BIG IN JAPAN Dec 19, 2020
Dissecting Japan's hit products of 2020
by Mark Schreiber
While many popular items in 2020 were related to the COVID-19 pandemic, a few surprises attracted attention.
National Dec 16, 2020
The masks will go on sale early next year for ¥98,000 ($950) apiece at his Tokyo shop, Kamenya Omote, whose products are popular as accessories for parties and theatrical performance.