Japan Growing Fetish for Masks

The Japanese are developing an Islamic fetish for wearing masks:

http://en.rocketnews24.com/2012/11/29/surgical-masks-in-japan-fashion-trend-or-wall-of-self-isolation-more-japanese-youth-wearing-surgical-masks-to-hide-their-face/

Some claim it's to protect themselves and others from germs, while a growing number admit they feel psychologically comforted by hiding their faces. Good thing it's a low-crime country -- for now.