Tokyo subway surfing — DON’T SWIM IN FRONT OF THE TRAINS
The Tokyo Metro’s August poster for “Train Manner” (sic):
DON’T JUMP IN FRONT OF THE TRAINS
As I have mentioned before, this is a monthly series of posters in the subway cajoling the so-called ‘rude’ Japanese public to have better train manners. In previous months, posters reminded women to “Not torture eyeballs on jostling trains.”
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August 1st, 2008 at 6:09 pm
An ageing Japan fails to find the next big idea
The Times
August 1, 2008 Leo Lewis
For many years, the Tokyo Metro has been waging a cross little campaign to improve the manners of an already well-mannered travelling public. Unswervingly critical of the young, intrusive posters have appeared begging ladies not to adjust their mascara on the trains (they actually deserve an award for dexterity) and others imploring men not to sprawl on the seats.
But the angriest of the bunch shows a cheerful-looking youngster enjoying some music on his headphones with a balding, tie-pinned salaryman sitting beside him fuming. Yes, the tinny “tss-tss” of headphones can be annoying, but the poster’s command – “please do it at home” – is grim, unnerving stuff. What it seems to be saying is that the country that for ever changed the world with the invention of the Walkman would now prefer its people to abandon portable music altogether, especially when the rancorous older generation is anywhere nearby.
Worse still, the Tokyo Metro’s irascible message comes as Japan seems to be collectively forgetting what made it great. Sure, Japan Inc still has plenty of well-funded corporate garden sheds churning out gizmos, but the eccentric streak of inventiveness is in crisis. There is a horrid feeling that a country that used to behave like a zany, experimental young firebrand and apologised to no one is becoming that fuming, timid, balding old salaryman who isn’t interested in the latest gizmo because he can’t see the damn buttons through his bifocals….more...
August 1st, 2008 at 9:37 pm
This is an excellent article that highlights some issues that are already being felt in Japanese society. As this aging population continues to grow in percentage compared to other age groups, this problem is only going to get worse.
I agree – Japan needs to find it’s mojo again – I hope it does.
August 1st, 2008 at 10:50 pm
“Japan” and “mojo” —Which of these words do not belong with the other?
September 12th, 2009 at 11:30 am
Damn it! They posted the “wrong” Subway Manner (sic) poster!