Saitama, Japan: While surgical masks have been highly sought after this year, Joe Biden rubber masks are also seeing some demand.
Image Credit: AP
2 of 12
Ogawa Studios, a Japanese manufacturer, began producing masks resembling the US president-elect in the middle of October, ahead of last week's election.
Image Credit: AP
3 of 12
Workers in Saitama, a city north of Tokyo, mold rubber to form a likeness of Biden's face, while features including his pearly white teeth and blue eyes are hand-painted.
Image Credit: AP
4 of 12
"Biden's keywords are dialogue and healing, so we created it with the image of a gentle expression," said Kouki Takahashi, from the administration department of Ogawa Studios. So far, around 1,000 masks have been sold.
Image Credit: AP
5 of 12
The same manufacturer was flooded with orders for Trump masks before Trump's inauguration as president four years ago.
Image Credit: AP
6 of 12
While sales of Trump and Biden masks were about the same last month, Takahashi said they are seeing more sales in November for the president-elect.
Image Credit: AP
7 of 12
The manufacturer said making politicians' masks is good for business.
Image Credit: AP
8 of 12
"Compared to character products, politicians are in office for a long time, so their total sales tend to grow significantly as their popularity continues to grow," Takahashi said.
Image Credit: AP
9 of 12
Trump and Biden masks are both sold for 2,400 yen ($23) apiece in Japan.
Image Credit: AP
10 of 12
An employee prepares the final touches to rubber masks depicting President-elect Joe Biden.
Image Credit: AP
This website stores cookies on your computer. These cookies are used to improve your experience and provide more personalized service to you.
Both on your website and other media. To find out more about the cookies and data we use, please check out our Privacy Policy.
