When I heard that Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare announced new policy on the wearing of masks, I feel reassured honestly because it’d allow my kids to have an “option” whether to wear mask depending on their view, their opinion.

Frankly speaking, the most important behavior rather than whether to wear mask is to manage hygienic concerns in a considerate manners.

It does not matter chilidren in Japan should wear a mask or not.
Generally we tend to feel sorry about children because we see they arw forced to put mask and forced to keep silent during the class.
But please think about it carwfully, they, especially who are under 10 y.o. never have a “normal’ school life you imagined.
In other words, they feel curent situation is a quite normal, they don’t have anything comparable.

This indicates only adult feel sorry about children.
IT IS NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS.


Let’s get back to the topic, therefore I was relieved that children could use this policy as an opportunity to "make a choice”.

For example, until now, teachers have been asking them to keep silent during lunch and children have not had the experience of eating while conversing.
Again and again, I do not feel sorry for this in itself.

The important point is that in addition to the "choice to eat silently," children were given the "choice to eat while having interactive conversation with friends.

The children could choose these option depending on their opinion, and this made me most happy.


And there is one thing I would like ti ask all adults to show your behavior to younger generation in terms of opinion that whether you should wear mask.

What does it mean…

Choosing to wear mask should be decided depending on not social pressure but your iwn opinion.
If you always tend to go along with people without any thoughts, it will not mean nothing positive for either ourselves or the youth, and you should be ashamed of yourself.

Of course, I know there can be many reasons behind to wear a mask at all times, such as to minimize the risk of infection because you live with your grandmother, or because you didn't wear makeup in time.
I don't have any intention to deny that, and this kind of action is definitely coming from their opinion, which is exactly what I want to tell.

This may be a small step toward creating a future full of diverse individuality and respect for each.