THE ASAHI SHIMBUN
March 10, 2023 at 16:39 JST
A sign asking customers to wear a mask when entering the premises (Kazumi Tako)
Many businesses are leaving decisions about wearing masks up to their customers as the government will institute its less-restrictive mask-wearing guidelines on March 13.
The guidelines leave the decision of wearing a mask up to the individual.
At the same time, major department stores and other businesses that deal closely with customers will continue to ask employees to wear masks.
Railway companies will stop making announcements calling on passengers to wear masks.
East Japan Railway Co., however, will continue to ask passengers to refrain from talking loudly or conversing when trains are congested.
The Scheduled Airlines Association of Japan, made up of 19 domestic airline companies, will leave decisions about wearing masks during flights and at airports up to passengers and crew.
Bus companies will also no longer have to ask passengers to wear masks.
Oriental Land Co., the operator of Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea, will leave decisions on wearing masks up to guests and staff members from March 13.
Twelve business associations in the retailing sector have also changed their guidelines and will no longer ask member companies to ask customers to always wear masks.
The Japan Hotel Association has revised its guidelines to allow those using restaurants and reception rooms to go maskless while they are eating and drinking.
Customers opting for buffet meals will also not have to wear masks when they are getting their food.
An organization of restaurant chain companies has placed a flier on its website that member restaurants can print out for display stating the decision to wear a mask is up to each customer. The sign is designed to prevent trouble among customers over masks.
An organization of movie theater operators will make announcements before each showing asking the audience to watch the movie while being aware of those around them.
There are some companies that will continue asking customers to wear masks.
An organization of stage production and theater companies will allow play organizers to continue asking audience members to wear masks.
Shochiku Co., which produces movies and operates Kabuki theaters, will continue to encourage the audience to wear masks even after March 13.
Taya Co., which operates a chain of hair salons, will also continue to ask customers to wear masks, given how close stylists must get to work on their customers.
(This article was written by Go Takahashi, Yoko Masuda, Takashi Ogawa and Eishi Kado.)
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