“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...

In recent months, the Japanese tourism industry has seen a resurgence following the relaxation of pandemic restrictions, with over 1 million arrivals for the third consecutive month in February. To support this growth and address the challenge of a declining population, the Japanese government has been encouraging companies in the tourism sector to digitize their operations.  Hong Kong's Klook and Taiwan's KKday are two startups that have recognized this potential for growth in Japan and are already helping to drive the industry into the digital age via online sales to replace paper tickets and reservations recorded in notebooks. Klook and KKday officials report that they already earn the biggest portion of their revenue from tourists in Japan, and they are seeking to expand their presence in the country by targeting older or smaller businesses that are less computerized than major hotels and airlines. In particular, the lodging industry in Japan is dominated by smaller busin...