Would you like trains and subways in Japan to run all night?

Tuesday 27th October, 05:35 AM JST

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Rodney_King at 03:38 PM JST - 27th October

Would you like trains and subways in Japan to run all night?

JT audience: Yes of course we want trains and subway to run all night...

Nobody will talk about night maintenance, rails checking, new rails installing all made while they sleep...Let's run trains and subway all night...

Next hypothetical Japantoday Have Your Say:

What do you think about trains and subways regular mechanical failures in Japan?

JT audience: japanese can't make good trains and japanese public transportation is overrated...
hellhound at 03:46 PM JST - 27th October

During weekends? Yeah!!!!
AlfieJapanorama at 03:53 PM JST - 27th October

Even just doing this on a Friday and Saturday night would make a huge difference but yes, the taxi companies would be in uproar. The main reason the trains dont run all night is to give business to companies who profit from them not running all night. It's daft that in a capital like Tokyo, unlike London, that there isnt at least some public transport [not taxis] available after 1am. London has its night buses. Tokyo has nothing except cabs. It's never made any sense to me but it makes perfect sense for those who profit from it and the politicians who are patronised by them.
noborito at 04:02 PM JST - 27th October

Ever see Odakyu line at the last train. Packed so full people pass-out. (O that starts at 10pm) So for 3 hours Odakyu packs the trains so full that people become ill. In the morning the same thing. Wouldn't it be nice to not be treated like pigs being transported to market. (O we wouldn't do that to our livestock.)
dolphingirl at 04:06 PM JST - 27th October

I think some trains and subways in central urban areas should run a little later; say til 2 or 2:30. Then perhaps have some all night buses in the more rural areas. That way at least you know you can get home (or get into the city) if you have to. I think this would be particulary helpful for those people working night shifts.

As for the late-night party-people, well, not a big concern really. People who are out all night will spend money so it's good for some businesses (restaurants, bars, clubs) so perhaps having to wait til first train is better. Plus, most people have sobered up by the time they get onto the morning train. If drunk people could take trains at all hours, I imagine things could get messy.
ilcub76 at 08:30 PM JST - 27th October

Most people would rather the subways and trains run later, but I would prefer if they began earlier. When I have a 7:05 flight to Narita, I have to get a hotel in Fukuoka, since no train will get me into the city on time.
flatearther at 08:39 PM JST - 27th October

Yes, please. It would make my weekends so much easier if I could take a train home at 2 or 3 instead of waiting.
GenevaMan at 04:11 AM JST - 28th October

Noooooooooo!!!!!!!!

Missing the last train is always the first step on the way to the love hotel.
isthistheend at 07:29 AM JST - 28th October

Oh, definitely. Especially the "women only" trains. And they should allow men to ride those trains too, but only during the night time.
inakaRob at 08:34 AM JST - 28th October

@ Rodney_King: what in the world are you talking about. It makes absoutly no sense what so ever. Any machine that is used that much will break down. It happenes everywhere in the world. Japan is no exception. Plenty of countries... bascily all of them have some form or 24 mass transit, or a mass transit system that run much later. You can still do maintenance if you have an extra train or two to rotate. Obviously other countries manage. New York city manages JUST FINE!. and you dont have to run EVERY track, every train, every ten minutes 24 hours a day. I go go over a billion different systems that they could try to use to add SOME form of 24 mass transit. and Japanese system overrated?!?!?!?! sure maybe, but its still the best most reliable system in the world. why don't you do yourself a favor move to New Delhi, then you might ACTUALLY have something real to complain about.
bdiego at 09:35 AM JST - 28th October

As far as a policy idea, it costs a lot to run empty trains for 4 hours. I do think they could at least run 1-2 hours later than they do, but 24-hours tends to invite crime. New York's a good example of late night disaster.
morriconelover at 10:56 AM JST - 28th October

I think they should do a survey for which areas and how the economy can hang together. I lived around Osaka for one year, and it would definitely be a good idea to have at least 24 hour trains during friday and saturday. And buses should also run at least one or two hour longer. Usually the last trains are going one hour later than the last buses.

Of course on the other hand, a lot of taxi drivers would suffer from this.

and to @rodney_king: Compared to all of europe, Japanese railway system is among the most reliable. In europe i only experienced Switzerland to have something equivalent to an effective system.

In Denmark for example, the system is too expensive and too many breakdowns and delays.
Mittsu at 11:43 AM JST - 28th October

No. Trains not running is a great reason for someone to come back to my place to "rest".
Farmboy at 02:19 PM JST - 28th October

No. It would be a waste of money. Still...it would be nice if there were a bus at 11pm and one at 11:45 or so to all regions in every prefecture. In my area the last bus out from the station is about 9:45 on weekends...not good.
DarkKnghtZ at 02:24 PM JST - 28th October

Mittsu hit the nail on the head. Prior to being married, "oh shit you missed your last train" worked so often that it was almost a staple line.

Outside of that obvious HUGE plus, the people who live near the railways would probably appreciate at least the 4-6 hours (depending on location) they get of quiet. In addition, night pay would be a requirement and JR is already stingy enough as is.... not gonna happen.