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Japan’s railway system is renowned for being one of the most efficient and heavily utilized globally. It’s fascinating how such efficiency is maintained despite the immense passenger traffic, which often challenges operational smoothness. Train operators employ a range of innovative strategies to ensure seamless operations.
Beyond punctuality, Japan’s trains offer a world of intriguing details. From railway companies billing families of suicide victims for delays caused by such incidents to trains that mimic animal sounds, here are ten remarkable facts about Japan’s railway system.
10. Railway Operators Bill Families of Those Who Commit Suicide on Tracks
Japan sees tens of thousands of suicides annually, with many involving individuals jumping in front of trains. These tragic incidents often lead to significant delays. For railway companies, delays translate to financial losses. Consequently, they seek compensation from the families of the deceased for the disruptions caused.
For clear reasons, companies keep this policy under wraps. Essentially, the longer the delay, the higher the cost. By 2010, the average fee stood at six million yen. Intriguingly, train-related suicides are often tied to declining property values, with homes along such routes typically seeing price drops.
Landlords face additional challenges when a suicide occurs on their property. Japanese law mandates that they disclose such incidents to potential tenants, making it difficult to hide. Many landlords also seek compensation from the families of the deceased.
9. Certificates for Delays
Japan’s rail system, one of the busiest globally, is also remarkably punctual. Delays are so rare that even minor tardiness prompts train operators to issue formal apologies and delay certificates. Station staff apologize for delays as short as two minutes and provide certificates for delays exceeding five minutes.
Delay certificates are essential as schools and workplaces have strict punctuality policies. Since train delays are rare, it’s often hard to persuade employers or teachers that a delay occurred. To address this, train companies provide these certificates as official proof.
These certificates are known as densha chien shoumeisho (“train delay certificate”). Station staff hand them out at every stop of the delayed train. Some companies even offer digital versions that can be downloaded for convenience.
8. The Practice of Pointing and Calling by Rail Workers
In Japan, train drivers, conductors, and station staff often point and verbally confirm actions as trains arrive or depart. This practice, called shisa kanko (“pointing and calling”), might seem odd, but it’s a proven method to reduce mistakes and accidents.
The technique ensures workers remain fully attentive to their tasks. For example, during speed checks, drivers will point to their speedometer and announce, “Speed check, 80,” reinforcing their awareness and accuracy.
Station staff inspecting for debris or individuals near departing trains point at the tracks and announce, “All clear.” They perform a similar routine to confirm that train doors are securely closed.
The practice of pointing and calling has been a part of Japan’s railway operations since the early 1900s. Research indicates it reduces errors by 85 percent. Its effectiveness has led to adoption by industries beyond railways in Japan and even by rail systems abroad, including New York City, which introduced a modified version in 1996. Instead of vocalizing, drivers point at a black-and-white “zebra board” to confirm proper train positioning.
7. Trains That Mimic Animal Sounds
In Japan, deer often wander onto train tracks to lick iron particles from the rails. Unfortunately, this behavior has led to fatal collisions, as deer become too absorbed to notice approaching trains. To address this, railway companies have implemented unconventional measures.
One approach involved applying lion feces to tracks in deer-prone areas, but rain rendered it ineffective. Another strategy used ultrasonic waves activated only when trains were nearby.
The Railway Technical Research Institute (RTRI) devised an innovative solution by equipping trains with speakers that emit deer and dog sounds. When a deer is detected, the speaker plays a three-second deer snort to capture its attention.
Following the snort, a 20-second dog bark is played, prompting the deer to flee. Trials showed a 50 percent reduction in deer lingering near tracks. The institute also plans to install permanent barking dog speakers in high-risk areas.
6. Train Companies Use ‘Pushers’ to Pack Passengers into Trains
During peak hours, Japan’s trains are notoriously crowded, with millions commuting simultaneously. To maximize capacity, train companies hire pushers, known as oshiya.
Pushers live up to their name by physically guiding passengers onto trains and preventing overcrowding in already full cars. Despite its seemingly simple nature, the role is a complex profession, requiring up to six months of training. Pushers must notify passengers before pushing and apply gentle pressure to the back or shoulders.
Pushers must use both hands to maintain balance and ensure stable footing to avoid being pushed into the train by eager passengers. This role is not a long-term career option, as it’s a part-time position limited to rush hours.
5. Apologies Issued for Early Train Departures
While Japanese trains are renowned for punctuality, they are also expected not to depart too early. In November 2017, a train on the Tsukuba Express line (connecting Tokyo and Tsukuba) left 20 seconds ahead of schedule, prompting an apology from the company.
The train was scheduled to depart at 9:44:40 AM but left at 9:44:20 AM due to a worker’s oversight. The apology was necessary because even a 20-second early departure can disrupt last-minute commuters who rely on the trains’ strict timeliness.
In May 2018, another train company apologized after a train departed 25 seconds early at 7:11 AM instead of 7:12 AM. The conductor made the error by closing the doors prematurely and chose not to reopen them, assuming no passengers were waiting.
Despite the conductor’s assumption, there were indeed commuters on the platform. Frustrated passengers contacted the train company, leading to a formal public apology.
4. Trains Play Melodies During Departure
Instead of honking, Japanese trains play melodies when departing stations. Known as hassha merodi (“departure melodies”), these tunes range from popular anime jingles to theme songs of famous movies or even nostalgic ad tunes.
Some melodies are custom-composed by renowned artists like Minoru Mukaiya, who has created over 100 melodies for various train stations. His fame is such that fans attend his concerts specifically to hear these iconic compositions.
The melodies serve a dual purpose: they encourage passengers to board quickly, as the doors remain open while the music plays, and they signal others to prepare for the next train’s arrival.
3. Blue Lights at Train Stations Aim to Reduce Suicides
As previously mentioned, train tracks in Japan are common sites for suicides. To address this, train companies began installing blue lights in stations during the 2000s, following a peak in suicide by train incidents.
Blue was chosen due to its calming effect, which may deter individuals from attempting suicide. The initiative appears effective, with reports in 2013 indicating an 84 percent reduction in train-related suicides after the lights were installed.
However, the results are debated, as the lights are less noticeable during daylight hours, and some stations turn them off during the day. Some researchers argue the reduction is closer to 14 percent and suggest that platform barriers would be more effective than blue lights.
2. The Culture of Sleeping on Trains
It might astonish Americans how effortlessly Japanese individuals nap on trains. In Japan, people doze off in various public spaces—from park benches to meetings (yes, even meetings). This practice is called inemuri (“sleeping while present”). Public napping is so ingrained in Japanese culture that disturbing someone’s sleep is considered impolite.
Japanese people often sleep during the day due to their demanding work schedules and insufficient nighttime rest. They compensate by napping at work, where sleeping is seen as a sign of dedication and hard work, as it reflects their exhaustion from overworking.
1. Women-Only Train Cars
Groping, known as chikan, is a significant issue on Japan’s crowded trains. To combat this, several railway operators have introduced women-only carriages, providing a safer space for female passengers.
While these cars are primarily for women, exceptions are made for young boys, men with disabilities, and male caregivers. Not all train companies offer these carriages, and those that do often limit their operation to weekends or peak hours.
In reaction to women-only cars, some men and women have called for male-only carriages. Men argue that they fear being falsely accused of groping in mixed-gender cars.
Japanese men also express frustration over being viewed with suspicion in mixed carriages, feeling that women perceive all men as potential gropers. They argue that the existence of women-only cars reinforces the assumption that all men are guilty of chikan.
