Observations enroute.
First time in three years to take a train for work this early. I was able to leave the house a bit earlier than required so I thought I would stop by the McDonalds in front of the station for a quick breakfast. It is no longer open 24H. They do not open until 7 am now. Not wanting to go back to the convenience store for onigiri, I went to the kiosk within the station, hoping it was open. It was but its selection was slight, most everything sold out. Guess I am not the only person who made this choice. I have never seen its shelves so bare this early in the morning.
Seeing large numbers of jr high and high school students, every single one is masked. Few, far fewer than 10% of adults are unmasked.
Hi Kitsune. If it is of any consolation, other than the typical glances at my foreign face, at least I didn't get any angry stares or subtle commands to mask-up while in West Tokyo yesterday. Saw the usual percentage of elementary school kids with masks ... below their noses. It is as part of their uniform as a neck-tie to a salaryman, and just as practical. Uh ... sorry about that. "Less pracical". Hangman's noose practical.
Well, I told you to not expect too much.
Change is slow, for many, it's nonexistent.