The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on the world, bringing many aspects of daily life to a halt. However, as the world slowly recovers, we are starting to see signs of life returning to normal. Japan, for instance, is experiencing a rebound towards pre-pandemic levels in various sectors, including tourism and entertainment. In mid-April, the two-day Spring Takayama Festival, also known as Sanno Matsuri, was held in Takayama, Gifu Prefecture, with an estimated 168,000 people in attendance. This number was more than triple the attendance of the previous year, which saw 53,000 people attending the festival. The festival's main event, a parade of floats, was held for the first time in four years, attracting many tourists from Japan and beyond. This surge in tourism is a welcome relief for the industry that was severely hit by the pandemic.   The tourism industry's impact was felt by businesses such as the Yakatabune pleasure boat, which saw a significant decline i...

“Unmasking" trend in Japan's service industry Starting from May 8, more companies in Japan's service industry plan to let their employees go maskless at work. This follows the government's decision to downgrade COVID-19 to a less-severe Category 5 under the infection diseases prevention law. The shift in anti-virus mask policies at these companies reflects the rising desire in the industry to return to pre-pandemic normality.   While some companies will maintain their mask-wearing mandates out of "consideration for customers," they appear to be in the minority. For example, employees of Hoshino Resort Co., a Nagano Prefecture-based operator of inns and hotels, will stop wearing masks at work on May 8. The company believes that it's important for the tourism industry that staff greet guests with a smile to communicate a welcoming feeling.   So far, Hoshino Resort's mask rules have been situation-based, such as whether staff members are indoor...