why are the japanese so big on the dust mask?

[rustyduck]

are they still wearing that because of a flu from years ago?

 

[sandman7925]

They have been doing that for years

 

[DAVE_M]

From my knowledge it has something to do with breathing in dead skin cells. I could be wrong though.

 

[Kilroy301]

Japanese wear white masks because they don't want to spread any germs that they caught to other people.
They wear masks to be considerate to others.

 

[bayoupirate]

I believe you are correct.
In there culture they are concerned about the community more than themselves.
We see the masks and assume that they are trying to protect themselves from some hazard.
Really, they are trying to protect others.
We could use a little of that concern for others here.

 

[dtd80]

are they still wearing that because of a flu from years ago?

Wasn't that in China with SARS? I think this is a different matter in Japan.

 

[Bobcat32]

I know this isn't on the subject .But I wanted to add it.NOT 1 STORE OR HOUSE WAS LOOTED OR ROBBED during all of this devastation.Wow...Can you imagine ,they have 150 million people in japan living on land the size of Montana.For one they still teach respect in schools.Second they teach respect when you break the law.Third they are taught respect,from birth..
..........................................Japan =Respect =100%
...........................................USA =Respect = 20%...... We need to put the other 80% back in the States

 

[lsu fan]

I know this isn't on the subject .But I wanted to add it.NOT 1 STORE OR HOUSE WAS LOOTED OR ROBBED during all of this devastation.Wow...Can you imagine ,they have 150 million people in japan living on land the size of Montana.For one they still teach respect in schools.Second they teach respect when you break the law.Third they are taught respect,from birth..
..........................................Japan =Respect =100%
...........................................USA =Respect = 20%...... We need to put the other 80% back in the States

That's amazing.

 

[rockmup]

I know this isn't on the subject .But I wanted to add it.NOT 1 STORE OR HOUSE WAS LOOTED OR ROBBED during all of this devastation.Wow...Can you imagine ,they have 150 million people in japan living on land the size of Montana.For one they still teach respect in schools.Second they teach respect when you break the law.Third they are taught respect,from birth..
..........................................Japan =Respect =100%
...........................................USA =Respect = 20%...... We need to put the other 80% back in the States

So........................Walton and Johnson is your news source ?!

 

[troy_mclure]

most of asia does the same thing.

another reason is in the winter it warms your breath so the cold air doesnt hurt your bad teeth.

 

[Pookie]

Kilroy is correct, the masks are worn when people have a cold or virus, so as not to spread germs. It's also true Japan is one of the safest countries on earth... shopkeepers regularly leave merchandise out in front of shops overnight, and nothing gets stolen. You can go almost anywhere in Tokyo, day or night, and never have to worry about your personal safety. In all the time I've spent there, I've never once felt the slightest threat.

 

[Storm52]

Not to minimize the courtesy and civility of the Japanese during this crisis, but there wasn't much to loot and pillage. For the most part, their buildings weren't destroyed, roads remain passable, shops (that could) opened for business. Now the homes and commercial industry in the path of the tsunami left little to be picked through...
The population wear the masks for reasons stated above. To prevent spread of virus.

 

[CEHollier]

Those are radation masks.

 

[tuan]

Japanese wear white masks because they don't want to spread any germs that they caught to other people.
They wear masks to be considerate to others.

Bingo