When westerners and people who haven’t been in Japan watch Japanese television, a question that frequently arises is “why is everybody wearing masks?” 

In today’s article we will answer the question which lies behind the sterile white masks that can be seen everywhere around Japan.
Many people think it is a phenomenon triggered by pollution, that people wear masks because the level of monoxide which can unfortunately be measured in a big city. 

The real reason why Japanese people wear masks though is a totally different one: in the Japanese culture, working and being available is a goal which is deeply rooted in the minds of the population and pursued on a daily basis. Therefore being sick and staying at home is something that people are not too keen on. Employers who are working in public services protect themselves from getting sick by wearing masks, so do bus drivers, cashiers and restaurant staff. The masks which can be bought at any Konbini are filtering the air, repelling bacteria and protecting the wearer from catching a flu.  
In contrast, people who are already sick are wearing masks to not influence or infect peers. This system reduces the spread of an influenca and results into a healthier social structure. 
And so, the mystery is solved