Social values and mask-wearing behaviour during the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan

This chapter investigates mask-wearing behaviours in Japan, where people had a habit of wearing a mask when they caught a cold before the pandemic. Even during the pandemic, no coercions are necessary. While the government succeeded in persuading most people to wear a mask outside, some people do not follow the norm. To examine who wears a mask and what factors affect their behaviour, we conducted a web survey in March 2021. The analysis shows that while public confidence in government did not matter, social values affect people’s mask-wearing behaviour.