With supplies of face masks dwindling due to the spread of the coronavirus, many people in Japan have started making their own, boosting sales of sewing machines.
Japanese mothers usually buy sewing machines at the end of March to sew fabric bags for their children in time for the start of classes at nursery and elementary schools in April. But this year the popularity of sewing machines has shown no signs of waning.
Some companies are also stepping up efforts to encourage people to start sewing by offering lessons online covering the basics of do-it-yourself masks.