Japan's decision to relax its mask guidelines this week marks a significant transition for a country where people have universally embraced the face coverings since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The fox, or KITSUNE also holds an identity as a supernatural creature commonly depicted at shrines, known for its ability to masquerade as humans to deceive them, or to provide divine messages.

To remedy the N95-standard face mask shortage at Japan hospitals caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, a medical institution and three companies in the Kansai region have teamed to develop and produce ...