Why do a lot of Japanese people wear surgical masks?

Carl is correct.. Most will wear the mask when they have a cold so as not to spread to other people, many will wear them when traveling to populated areas so as not to catch any germs.. Japan is very populated and the spread of the flu or other germs can be extremely fast.

They are bosozoku gangsters and are using it to hide their identities.

dust and dirty air, elimination of airborne infections from being in close contact with the public. lots of koreans wear the same mask too. they're just more health concious about what they're breating. it doesn't purify, but it helps filter, which is a good thing.

They think it prevents passing on colds/flu etc, but most of the masks are rubbish and have no effect after about 30 seconds.

because japanese men use chlorofom on white girl and the smell is very strong, so wear mask.

To protect from poison gas from cigarette smokers. Many non-smoking people get sick by those smokers.

To keep from getting and spreading cold and from pollen allergy.

keep from epidemics and pollen allergy

haha idk i wonder the same thing