People march along a road with a large Tengu mask during the Tengu Parade, ... Japan had eased its mask mandate for the first time only in March ever since the Covid pandemic struck the world in 2020.

Japan’s mask rules end — with some caveats. Commuters walk in Tokyo on Monday morning after Japan relaxed face masking norms, leaving the decision largely up to individuals. | REUTERS.

Tokyo: Japan’s government eased its mask guidelines, recommending them only on crowded trains and in hospitals or care homes, but there was little sign residents were keen to unmask.

Japan's decision to relax its mask guidelines this week marks a significant transition for a country where people have universally embraced the face coverings since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Japan on Monday dropped its request for people to wear masks after three years, but hardly anything changed in the country that has had an extremely high regard for their effectiveness at anti ...

TOKYO -- Japan on Monday relaxed its guidance on wearing masks as a COVID-19 prevention measure, in a milestone for a country that was arguably the global face of masking during the pandemic.

Dropping the mask-wearing request is one of the last steps Japan’s government is taking to ease Covid-19 rules in public places as it tries to expand business and other activity.