this was quite common. Speaking with our ex-foreign exchange student, who lives there... she said initially it was specifically that... to help in not spreading infectious diseases.... BUT....
it caught on as a 'fashion statement'. Now that's NOT a question you just pose to a citizen of Japan you see walking on the street... or at least I wouldn't... but I did have a couple of occasions to ask 'locals' whom I had met, in social settings, about it.... and yes, to a very large extent.... though I can't begin to say how much... it IS a matter of fashion. - JamesJM
