Tokyo Metro › Japan Today: Japan News and Discussion

Wednesday 04th February, 05:10 AM JST

This month’s Tokyo Metro manner poster asks passengers (who pretend not to notice elderly or disabled commuters) to offer them their seat.

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Latest 15 of 132 Total Comments Show All

norinrad21 at 07:15 AM JST - 5th February

I agree with northlondon,

its way too late for Japan. Charity as they often say begins at home.
SmithUS at 09:14 AM JST - 5th February

Although they probably have become more selfish in Tokyo, it is also a fact that crowding makes people less civil or cities become less civil as they become more crowded. Consider that Tokyo’s population is 28 million – that is nearly double New York City’s population, 4 times the size of London’s population. So compared to other major cities, is Tokyo citizenry out of control or is just the train etiquette lacking. I’m assuming the stereotype of polite Japanese must still apply in some way or I would expect trains and everywhere else in Tokyo to be out of control.
PuffinMuffin at 09:35 AM JST - 5th February

I doubt if those posters are effective as it appears too late for that now. Maybe they could at least put real people in the roles such as the above and add a little drama to 'shock' the masses a little. The manga thing is too make-believe and will be ignored for sure.
Betzee at 10:10 AM JST - 5th February

Since the kanji character on the left means "home" it's safe to assume this is a faithful translation from Japanese to English. It sure doesn't mean anything to me. I would assume it was perhaps referring to eating, but more probably to making out. Yet that is usually undertaken standing up in a packed car where the crowd provides cover.

I have always offered my seat to the elderly, infirm, a pregnant woman or anyone carrying a baby. In Asia people rarely extent such courtesies to strangers, however. So when I am seen doing this it usually shames a local into giving up his/her seat to the person needing it while I, as a foreigner, am directed to sit back down. These are distinct hierarchies of privilege; one a person requiring a seat for physical reasons and the other a visitor who should be given every comfort in order to gain a favorable impression of the place. The upshot is, I can make the gesture without suffering any discomfort. And I hate standing!!!!
whitepocky at 10:41 AM JST - 5th February

I doubt if those posters are effective as it appears too late for that now. Maybe they could at least put real people in the roles such as the above and add a little drama to 'shock' the masses a little. The manga thing is too make-believe and will be ignored for sure

As could be said for the masses. If it don't concern me, i.e. you are not in my affiliated group, fcuk 'em!!!
tmarie at 11:22 AM JST - 5th February

Ossan, Japanese only care when they've been caught. They create more meiwaku then you're admitting and only feel bad when someone calls them on it. Japan revolves around the whole notion of "It isn't bad unless I get caught". Not giving up a seat to granny isn't bad UNLESS someone tells them to move.

Oh and I gave up my seat again today. Heartless cow that I am.
Betzee at 11:30 AM JST - 5th February

Japanese only care when they've been caught.

That's a shame-based culture for ya. I guess we should count our blessings some still have a sense of shame!
PuffinMuffin at 12:35 PM JST - 5th February

but oh whitepocky don't be mean, I think the guy with the broken leg is actually having a sweet tooth
m5c32 at 02:09 PM JST - 5th February

The crutches of the poster-within-a-poster look like a syringe -a very large syringe.
Nagdude at 04:12 PM JST - 5th February

I broke my leg two years ago and just getting into the station was a nightmare. Generally people would give up their seats and I would gratefully thank them. However, there were many times when hobbling through the crowded stations lots of harried salarymen who would walk straight at me expecting me to divert, I would purposefully swung my crutches wide and wack them in the shins and they would look surprised that I hit them.
PuffinMuffin at 07:09 PM JST - 5th February

Nagdude: sorry to hear that
Betzee at 12:13 AM JST - 6th February

Puffin, you're such a sweetheart!

Buses may be a better bet for the handicapped. Many a time riding the CTA in Chicago I observed those on the front bench, which is designated handicapped, had to move so someone's wheelchair could be secured after the driver had extended an electric arm to enable them to board.
rurika at 08:24 AM JST - 7th February

Sadly there is widespread ignorance about hidden disabilities.

There are a lot of people out there who have serious problems with their spine, joints, nerves, etc... which make it very painful to stand. Others who look healthy may actually be having dialysis, treatment for cancer or a number of conditions which make them weak and tired.

Never seat in a courtesy seat unless you really need it!
kwatt at 10:15 PM JST - 7th February

This manner poster shows us how Japanese shameful, selfish, inconsiderate, thoughtless, irresponsible are. Especially kids and young people do NOT CARE about blind persons, handicapped persons, pregnant women, etc, etc. One of reasons is young mothers hardly tell kids to let elderly people have seats. This starts everything unreasonable. Mothers do not teach their kids right things and wrong things. Anyway kids and teenagers are always looking at emails and close their eyes when elderly persons come in fornt of your seats.
Yelnats at 03:49 PM JST - 9th February

It is a stupid poster. The little brats in their short pants and Elmer Fudd hats should all be banned from trains and platforms. They run around, cut in front of people waiting to board etc. I do not like those little kids at all. No manners, rude, an selfish. I grab them by the back of their collars if they try to jump in front of me...and give them a good reason to hate gaijin. I am in mid 50's, but I give up my seat when necessary.