Sweets, Flu Masks Popular in Japan after Pyeongchang Olympics

Tokyo, March 1 (Jiji Press)--Products related to Japanese medalists at the Pyeongchang Olympics are seeing an explosion in popularity in Japan after the country won 13 medals, the best in its Winter Games history. Every day, a confectionary maker in the northernmost prefecture of Hokkaido puts up a notice reading: "Sold out. We are sorry for causing inconvenience." Stock of its "Akai Silo," or red silo, cheese cake runs out a few hours after its shop opens. The product drew attention after the Japanese women's curling team, which won bronze at the Pyeongchang Games, ate it during half-time in matches. The curling team is based in Kitami, where the confectionary maker, Seigetsu, is also located. The cakes can be ordered online, but customers now need to wait for three months for delivery due to the sudden popularity. Seigetsu employees are so busy that sometimes they are unable to answer telephone calls. "We're a small company, so please forgive us for shortcomings," said Mondo Watanabe, president of Seigetsu, surprised by the situation. A flu mask attracted attention after it was worn by Japanese figure skater Yuzuru Hanyu, who won gold in the men's singles event at the Pyeongchang Olympics. The bo-bi Calorie mask trains the user's respiratory muscle when worn, according to its developer, based in Toyohashi, Aichi Prefecture, central Japan. The 2018 version of the mask starts from 21,600 yen. Although the product is unusually expensive for a flu mask, 2,000 people are currently on the waiting list to buy it. The company is unable to keep up with the pace of orders, even though workers are giving up their holidays to produce more masks. Another popular Olympic product is memorial stamp sheets featuring Japanese Olympic medalists, launched by Japan Post Co. The unit of Japan Post Holdings Co. <6178> said Wednesday that more than 300,000 sheets had been sold, priced at 1,400 yen apiece. The most popular sheet is one of stamps depicting Hanyu. All 1,000 copies offered at the Tokyo Central Post Office sold out on the first day. Sports equipment shops are getting many inquiries about goggles and skis used by snowboard and mogul Olympians. The Tokyo Curling Association is receiving a flood of applications for its trial classes for the sport. A curling class that started accepting applications on Saturday reached capacity in two hours. Skate rinks are also attracting more visitors than in regular seasons. "I think skate schools that will open shortly will get many applications," said an official of an ice rink in the Meijijingu Gaien park in central Tokyo. END