President Tadashi Goto is seen with masks bearing the phrase "x2 vaccinated" (vaccinated twice) in the town of Oe, Yamagata Prefecture, on Nov. 16, 2021. (Mainichi/Taisuke Kodera)

       OE, Yamagata -- A sewing company in this northern Japan town has been swamped with orders from people in the greater Tokyo area for its masks featuring a printed phrase saying the wearer has been vaccinated twice against the coronavirus, as more people are going out during the holiday season.

       Goto Knit Sewing in the town of Oe, Yamagata Prefecture, is selling the cotton masks blended with non-woven fabrics, dubbed "Vaxxed masks." The products come in two types -- an ordinary cloth mask and a 3D cloth mask -- and have a selection of six colors including beige and pink.

       Each mask has a printed syringe illustration with a phrase reading "x2 vaccinated" (vaccinated twice), making it clear the wearer has had two COVID-19 shots.

       As of Dec. 24, some 10,000 of the masks have been sold since the products hit the market on Oct. 4. The masks also ship to the United States and South Korea, and have received positive feedback from customers, including, "This mask can make people around me feel secure," and, "The syringe design is cute, and it's comfortable to wear, too."

       A set of three cloth masks costs 1,800 yen (about $15.73), while a pair of 3D cloth masks is 1,400 yen (about $12.24). They can be ordered from the company's website.

       With an eye on the planned start of booster shots, the company is considering selling masks with a "x3 vaccinated" phrase.

       President Tadashi Goto commented, "I hope these masks will help the wearers make an unobtrusive appeal to others and lead to a mutual sense of security between people."

       (Japanese original by Taisuke Kodera, Yamagata Bureau)

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