The Japanese government says people don’t need to wear masks outside, as long as they don’t talk much to others. On Friday, Health, Labor and Welfare Minister Shigeyuki Goto said that even indoors masks are not necessary if people do not talk much and can properly social distance.

The Japanese government’s recent change in stance on face masks is believed to be due to the increased risk of heatstroke in the country as summer approaches. Shigeyuki noted, however, that the government still recommends wearing masks on crowded trains.

“Even if you pass other people outdoors, such as walking to work, there is no need to wear a mask as long as there is little or no conversation.”

Shigeyuki also said the government had reversed its recommendation that children aged 2 and over wear masks, issued following the spread of the highly contagious omicron variant. He says it’s “not uniformly required.”

It’s not just the mask laws that Japan has been strict about. Japan has been criticized for its strict border controls. Earlier this month, the Japanese Prime Minister announced that in June visitors will be able to enter the country “as easily as other G-7 countries”.

Apart from China, Japan is the last Asian country that has still not opened its border to foreign tourists. Since the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, the country has only allowed in foreigners who are studying abroad, foreign dignitaries or people coming on business.

THE SOURCE: news from japan