Many boxes containing cloth masks procured by the Japanese government are seen in a warehouse in a Tokyo suburb on Dec. 1, 2021. (Mainichi/Takehiko Onishi)

       TOKYO -- Baby wipes, dust cloths or vessels for growing vegetables are just some of the ideas suggested on social media in response to the Japanese government's decision to discard some 80 million unused cloth masks within fiscal 2021.

       The cloth masks have gone unused since their procurement for the Japanese government's "Abenomask" initiative giving each household in the country two cloth masks to help curb the coronavirus's spread. While the government will distribute leftover masks to parties wishing to receive them, their disposal is set to cost up to around 60 million yen (roughly $524,000). Twitter has seen a dramatic increase in posts suggesting alternative uses for the masks starting Dec. 21, after Prime Minister Fumio Kishida announced the entire surplus cloth masks stockpile will be disposed of by the end of the 2021 fiscal year.

       "Even defective ones can be used in the National Diet year-end cleaning. Can't they be put to use in every possible way?" read one. Another said, "Since they're good-quality gauze, they can be used for anything, like when disinfecting bruises and as cleaning rags or as baby wipes when changing diapers." Along with posts like these, many online could be seen writing things like, "It's a waste to throw away brand new masks," and "Things must be treated with care."

       Cloth masks distributed under the "Abenomask" program are shown in this April 23, 2020 file photo. (Mainichi)

       Other ideas included using the masks as coasters for drinks and as material when remaking kimonos. A post in the summer showed multiple photos of a toddler carrying a mask on their back by using the ear loops as shoulder straps. Cooling agents were placed between the gauze layers to prevent heatstroke.

       Another unique idea to grow broccoli sprouts by planting seeds on cloth masks soaked in water has also gained attention after a Kyoto Shimbun newspaper reporter tried it himself in June. A company has also been calling for ideas and matching them with organizations that can put them to practical use.

       Osaka-based Next Age Inc., whose Twitter account is "@NextAge2030," has launched a project where users can post ideas for the masks with the hashtag "Abenamask no tsukaikata" (Ways to use Abenamasks). Companies can express their willingness to try the proposed methods by posting a quote tweet with the hashtag "Abenamask ga hoshii" (We want Abenamasks). "Abenamask" is a play on the words "Abenomask" and the Japanese word for "convenient."

       Next Age will create a list of supporting firms and number of masks sought, and submit this to the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare. But the company said it's up to the ministry whether they will be distributed.

       Next Age President Daisaku Yoshimura, 41, said, "I think anyone would think it's wrong to throw away new masks. If you don't think of them as masks, there should be various ways to use them. We'd like people to share their ideas, and link them with companies."

       (Japanese original by Yuka Obuno, Digital News Center)

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