Efforts to promote safe and mindful escalator use are gaining traction across the country, with Saitama Prefecture and the city of Nagoya mandating standing still by ordinance, while the city of Fukuoka is trialing new measures to discourage pedestrians from walking on escalators.
It’s common in Japan to stand on one side of the escalator, leaving the other side clear for people to walk. But Hitachi Building Systems, a Tokyo-based escalator manufacturer, explains that escalators aren’t designed for walking — their larger steps differ from those on regular stairs as defined by the Building Standards Law, increasing the risk of falls.
Proponents argue that standing not only prevents falls but also accommodates people with disabilities. “We hope to create a more considerate society,” said one advocacy group leading the push.
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