Masks in Japan is a 26 billion Yen market, according to Yano Research Institute. The biggest reason? Hay Fever, it seems.
Japan's pollen levels are five times higher than they were last spring, thanks to a hot summer last year and a sudden spike in temperatures this month that has caused Japanese cedar and hinoki cypress trees – the main culprits – to release their pollen all at once.
Masks are popular in Japan because they're a cheap, easy way to keep pollen from entering the nose and causing an allergic reaction, says Shigeharu Fujieda, an allergy specialist at Fukui University. "For that purpose, masks are very effective. It's cheap and safe. It seems to fit the thinking of many Japanese," he said.
For the source and full article, see HERE from Huffington Post.
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