2020.04.03

Amid Coronavirus Fears, Japanese Twitter Responds to Abe’s 2 Mask Promise with Memes

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As always, Japanese Twitter users hit the nail on the head, responding to coronavirus mask worries with all-too Japanese anime-themed memes, from classic manga to Ghibli and Pokemon.

This April 1st, families across Japan were left wondering if Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was playing an April Fool's joke on them. As cases of COVID-19 (coronavirus) infection continue to spread across the world, and people around Japan are asking those in government to employ more proactive measures, Abe announced his newest plan to tackle Japan's coronavirus situation: an offer of two masks per household. Despite his insistence that the two washable, reusable fabric masks are a good response to the sudden demand, Japanese Twitter is unsurprisingly… unimpressed.

On Twitter, many people's impression was that Abe was clearly trying to hide from the truth. So the first response was this image, shared all over the platform, of the prime minister hiding between his two masks. The image has been accompanied by hashtags like #アベノマスク (Abe's masks) and tweets of all kinds, from fairly insightful comments like "we already know how to make masks out of handkerchiefs, why would we need cloth masks?" to people simply laughing at how the masks look, well, a little small for an adult face.

友人がマスク２枚よりも諭吉２枚欲しいって言ってたから作った。#マスク二枚 pic.twitter.com/VE6NitcBNX

— 森永のおいしい牛乳 (@milk3285) April 1, 2020

Twitter user @milk3285 quickly responded to the announcement with a comment about how his friend told him would have much preferred two 10,000 yen bills to two masks, including an image of the mask of his friend's dreams.

安倍首相、マスク２枚はぜひこのデザインでお願いします。枚数も２枚ではなくて２０枚でお願いします。#マスク二枚でごまかすな #マスク2枚 #マスク配布 #マスク2枚でごまかすな #マスク二枚 #アベノマスク pic.twitter.com/x5VbIzQBrp

— 人生を幸せにチェンジする　ゲッターラボ (@getterlabo) April 1, 2020

User @getterlabo agreed, saying "I'd like my two masks to come in this design. Also, I'd like 20 of them, not 2."

The ridicule, of course, did not stop there.

The next meme to explode all over Japanese Twitter was this one, featuring the plight of one of Japan's most beloved manga and anime families, the Sazae household. Written across the top in colorful lettering is the phrase "Two Masks per Household." The Sazae family doesn't look pleased with the situation, either.

Next came Ghibli.

「雫、2枚だから」 pic.twitter.com/e0tLskUR8p

— ⛩️失敗即位⛩️ (@sokuishippai) April 1, 2020

Utilizing a scene from the classic Hayao Miyazaki film Whisper of the Heart, Twitter user @sokuishippai writes "Shizuku, it's because there are only two masks."

政府発表
1世帯につきマスク２枚配布へ#マスク2枚 pic.twitter.com/0eVrjGiw2c

— ろんげーin Da ワインラウンジLonge【公式】 (@Longe0829) April 1, 2020

Japanese Twitter just couldn't help but imagine how their favorite families would be putting the masks to use. Can't you just feel Chihiro's pain?

As this Dugtrio shared by @haruki126 proves, when you have only two masks, even the closest of families may have to make some sacrifices

マスク2枚の使い方#マスク2枚 pic.twitter.com/TMa19vFZ4j

— ｍｏｉｓｔｏａｓｔ　災 (@moist0ast) April 1, 2020

Finally, Twitter user @moist0ast came to our rescue, showing us the proper way put the two masks to use as a four-person family! What a relief to finally understand!

Have you found the best way to use Abe's two fabric masks? We'd love to hear! Let us know on the JAPANKURU twitter… or instagram and facebook, if you prefer.

Sophia Appelbaum

Half a lifetime ago I came to Japan for a semester abroad... and I never left. I guess I really like the place! I spent my first few years in Japan living in the middle of nowhere, so I'd love to hear your Tokyo recommendations via Japankuru's social media accounts!

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- SHIKOKU
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  On the other side of the Seto Inland Sea opposite Japan’s main island, Shikoku (四国) is a region made up of four prefectures: Ehime, Kagawa, Kochi, and Tokushima. The area is famous for its udon (in Kagawa), and the beautiful Dogo Onsen hot springs (in Ehime).
- KAGAWA
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  Kagawa Prefecture is on the northern part of the island of Shikoku, facing Japan's main island and the Seto Inland Sea. It's known for being the smallest prefecture in Japan, by area, but at the same time Kagawa is called the "Udon Prefecture" thanks to its famous sanuki udon. Aside from Kotohiragu Shrine and Ritsurin Garden, the prefecture's small islands are popular, and Kagawa is full of unique destinations, like Angel Road. They say that if you lay eyes on Zenigata Sunae, a huge Kagawa sand painting, you'll never have money troubles ever again.
- KYUSHU
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  Located in the most southwestern part of Japan, Kyushu (九州) is an island of 7 prefectures: Fukuoka, Saga, Nagasaki, Kumamoto, Oita, Miyazaki, and Kagoshima. The island's unique culture has been influenced by Chinese and Dutch trade, along with missionaries coming in through Nagasaki's port. Modern-day travelers love the lush natural scenery and fresh food, plus the natural hot springs found all throughout the area (thanks to volcanic activity)!
- FUKUOKA
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  Fukuoka Prefecture has the highest population on the southern island of Kyushu, with two major cities: Fukuoka and Kitakyushu. Thanks to growing transportation networks, Fukuoka is more accessible than ever, and so are the many local attractions. On top of historical spots like Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine, travelers shouldn't miss Fukuoka's food scene, with motsu nabe (offal hotpot), mentaiko (spicy cod roe), and famous Hakata ramen―best eaten from a food stall in the Nakasu area of Hakata. Plus, it's full of all sorts of destinations for travelers, like trendy shopping centers, and the beautiful nature of Itoshima and Yanagawa.
- KAGOSHIMA
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  Kagoshima Prefecture played a major role in Japan's modernization as a backdrop for famous historical figures like samurais Saigo Takamori and Okubo Toshimichi, who pushed Japan out of the Edo era and into the Meiji. Because of that, Sengan-en Garden is just one of many historical destinations, and when it comes to attractions Kagoshima has plenty: the active volcano of Sakurajima, popular hot springs Ibusuki Onsen and Kirishima Onsen, World Heritage Site Yakushima Island, even what Japan calls the "island closest to heaven," Amami Oshima. Kagoshima might be found on the very southernmost tip of the southern island of Kyushu, but there's plenty to see.
- OKINAWA
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  The island chain of Okinawa (沖縄) makes up the southernmost tip of Japan, which is why it's also the most tropical area in the country. Thanks to a history of independence and totally distinct political and cultural events, Okinawa has a unique culture, and remnants of the Ryukyu Kingdom are still visible all over the islands. Food, language, traditional dress, it's all a little different! It's also said to be the birthplace of karate.