March 13 -- Free the Mask
Japan has announced that beginning March 13, the wearing of medical style masks as a countermeasure against Covid is now up the individual to decide for themselves.
So for those not wishing to wear a mask, you can now move about freely in Japan without having to wear a mask. There are, of course, exceptions. The Shinkansen Bullet Train evidently will still require them, but airlines will not. Apparently, hotels are also allowed to request that guests wear masks in the lobby. So, basically masks are over, but be flexible in the short term.
In general, the Japanese themselves will probably be quite slow to remove their masks, as the society highly favors conformity, and wearing a mask is a way to not inconvenience others by passing on your sickness.