As new cases of coronavirus continue to rise in a number of countries around the world, worrying divides have begun to form as those opposed to mask-wearing decry recommendations and requests to cover their faces to help stop the spread of the virus.
In Japan, mask-wearing is not mandatory but it doesn't really have to be, as masks have been a part of everyday life here even before coronavirus. However, while the large majority of the public is masking up during the pandemic, a small faction of anti-maskers has appeared, and they're not just opposed to masks — they are against any form of restraint in regards to stopping the spread of the virus.
The group is being led by YouTuber and leader of the Popular Sovereignty Party Masayuki Hiratsuka, who ran an unsuccessful campaign in the July Tokyo Gubernatorial Election. His campaign slogan, "Coronavirus is just a cold" failed to gain traction with voters, but that doesn't mean he hasn't picked up followers who agree with his views.
On Aug 9, a number of party supporters gathered for a "Cluster Protest" outside Shibuya Station, where people held up placards that read "Masks, Social Distancing, The 'Three Cs', Self-restraint Not Necessary." The group, which included women with babies and toddlers, were all unmasked for the three-hour-plus-long protest outside the station.
In a YouTube video uploaded to his channel a day before the protest, Hiratsuka encouraged people to join him in "hijacking" the Yamanote Line with unmasked passengers after the demonstration, so that passengers with masks would "feel stupid" for wearing them.
japantoday.com
