How Naomi Osaka and her sister turned $10 masks into support for disadvantaged Japanese youth(Getty Images) Naomi Osaka turned a simple pandemic essential into a charity project with her older sister, Mari. In July 2020, the sisters teamed up with UNICEF Japan to create a limited-edition face mask that sold for $10. All proceeds went to UNICEF programs supporting disadvantaged youth in Japan. The project also gave the sisters a chance to bring their shared interest in fashion, Japanese culture and animation into something people could use every day.Naomi came up with the idea after seeing how masks had become part of daily life during the pandemic. She wanted the design to offer more than protection. Mari then helped her develop the look, which featured cartoon animal eyes inspired by their love of animated cartoons.
Naomi Osaka wanted the mask to be more than protection
Naomi Osaka explained the idea during an interview with Vogue. She had noticed people in the United States wearing similar medical masks, while masks in Japan had already become more connected to everyday fashion.“So I wanted to release a mask that wasn’t just for protection, but could also be used as a fashion statement,” Naomi said.The project also reflected Naomi and Mari’s interest in Japanese fashion. Naomi recalled visiting Harajuku, Ginza and Shibuya during trips to Tokyo for tennis tournaments when she was younger. She said the sisters were passionate about both tennis and fashion, giving the charity project a personal connection beyond its design.Mari confirmed that Naomi started the project before she joined in. “The idea came from Naomi at the beginning. I just kind of helped her with the design,” she said.The final mask used cartoon animal eyes, adding a playful touch to an item that had quickly become part of everyday life.
Every $10 mask supported UNICEF youth programs
The charity element gave the project a clear purpose. According to the WTA, all proceeds from the $10 masks went toward UNICEF programming that supported disadvantaged youth in Japan.The masks also had practical features. They came with three layers and used a 3XDRY BIO coating. They could also be washed up to 50 times, allowing buyers to reuse them instead of treating them as disposable face coverings.The total amount raised through the sales was not publicly disclosed. Still, the sisters made the purpose of the project clear. Every purchase helped direct proceeds toward UNICEF’s work with disadvantaged young people in Japan.The project also reflected the sisters’ connection to Japan and their shared love of fashion. Naomi remembered visiting Harajuku, Ginza and Shibuya during trips to Tokyo for tennis tournaments. Those experiences stayed with her and later influenced the way she approached the mask, blending a practical item with a playful design inspired by Japanese culture and animation.
AloJapan.com