Japanology Plus - Season 9 - Eps 8: Face Masks
Since the outbreak of COVID-19, people all over the world have become accustomed to wearing masks. But in Japan, a custom of mask-wearing dates back hundreds of years. Today, innovations are addressing the communication problems that masks can cause. Our guest, science historian Sumida Tomohisa, offers his views on why Japanese feel so at ease wearing masks. And in Plus One, Lemi Duncan looks at ways to make masks more fashionable.
About Japanology Plus

Title: Japanology Plus
First Air Date: 2014-04-03
Last Air Date: 2025-05-22
Status: Returning Series
Rating: 6.4/10 (from 5 votes)
Language: EN
Seasons: 13
Total Episodes: 335
Network: NHK WORLD-JAPAN
Genres: Documentary, Talk
Production Companies: NHK, NHK Educational
Synopsis
Host Peter Barakan delves into various aspects of Japanese culture; exploring practices, history, and modern innovations in such areas as ramen, rice, sushi, geisha, bonsai, and so much more. Local experts discuss their passions at fascinating length, and American Japanophile Matt Alt experiences the food, practices, and cultures in each episode in depth. Viewers will finish each half hour episode with a new understanding of an area of Japanese life through demonstrative videos and explanations, all delivered respectfully and true to the Japanese way of life.
Cast

Peter Barakan
Self - Host