The COVID propaganda from China affected Japan just as much as every other country. It's not virtue signaling for the West. It IS virtue signaling and sickens me, but it goes along well with a culture where appearances are more important than reality. I know Japanese people who say "It doesn't matter if they aren't really wearing the masks off-camera, it's good that the politicians/tv hosts set an example."
Good, because they aren't fans.
Well you're wearing a face dipper for them...
Face masks were common in Japan way before the Wuflu, dummy.
https://japantoday.com/category/features/lifestyle/why-do-japanese-people-wear-surgical-masks-its-not-always-for-health-reasons
Take your pick
https://restaurants-guide.tokyo/column/face-masks-in-japan-100-years-running/
https://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/14362156
https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20210416/p2a/00m/0li/037000c
https://www.japanesestudies.org.uk/ejcjs/vol14/iss2/horii.html
Not in the OP's context they weren't.
This is so obviously just medical theatre participation.
The COVID propaganda from China affected Japan just as much as every other country. It's not virtue signaling for the West. It IS virtue signaling and sickens me, but it goes along well with a culture where appearances are more important than reality. I know Japanese people who say "It doesn't matter if they aren't really wearing the masks off-camera, it's good that the politicians/tv hosts set an example."
"generally" ain't good enough.
Restaurants "generally" don't give away free food. Guess who gets their meal for free? Karens who loudly complain.