In an unexpected cultural trend in Japan, the photo identification cards of total strangers, particularly those in red, have soared in popularity. The phenomenon, which exploits no particular demographic or locale, is an unconventional hobby that involves collecting and appreciating the ID photos of random individuals. The trend is thought to have begun on social media platforms and has since enveloped the nation, but the reasons behind its popularity remain pleasantly elusive.

This news is interesting in Japan due to the typical Japanese values of privacy and respect for personal space. The trend is somewhat counterintuitive, as it involves a fascination with, and an appreciation for, the photo IDs of strangers. However, the awareness and respect for personal information remains intact - collectors keep the identities of the photo ID holders anonymous.

In contrast, in the US or EU, there is less fascination with the identification cards of strangers due to data protection and privacy laws. Collecting or sharing strangers' ID photos could potentially be seen as an invasion of privacy and could attract legal implications.