Using escalators daily for commuting or going to school, it has become common in various places to encourage people to "ride in two columns" or "stand still while riding" to avoid accidents and potential hazards when walking. However, even when standing still, many people unconsciously tend to lean either left or right. Tokyo (Kanto area) is known for standing on the left, while Osaka (Kansai area) is known for standing on the right, but why is there a difference in the way people ride escalators?
By examining the situation in Mie Prefecture, located between Tokyo and Osaka, we can shed light on the mystery surrounding this "rule."
Left? Right? Which one?
The implicit rule of standing on one side and walking on the other has become widespread on escalators. Walking on escalators can be dangerous, leading to accidents and injuries to oneself and others. Consequently, various railway companies have called for passengers to stand still while riding escalators. Two years ago, Saitama Prefecture even enacted an ordinance to promote standing still. Last month, Aichi Prefecture's Nagoya City submitted a similar ordinance proposal to the assembly, aiming to implement changes to the rules.
However, many people might still be uncertain about which side to lean towards, thinking about factors like blocking the passage and causing inconvenience. Consequently, in urban stations, it is common to see people standing only on one side of the escalator.
Amidst this situation, a question arises: "When riding escalators in Mie Prefecture, which side do people stand on? Is it the left or the right?"
While it's widely known that there's a difference between Tokyo and Osaka, Mie Prefecture lies in between, and its categorization as either "Tokai area" or "Kansai area" can be unclear. Examining the situation in Mie Prefecture might offer clues about the boundary and proper escalator etiquette.
A Glimpse into Escalator Riding Habits in Mie Prefecture
When it comes to escalators, train stations are one of the places where they are commonly used. At Yokkaichi Station in Mie Prefecture, I often see people standing on the left side. However, if you ask which side is correct, the answer would be that "either side is okay." The crucial thing is to hold onto the handrail and stand still. Walking up or down escalators can cause collisions and potential accidents. So, the correct answer would be to say, "It's okay to stand on either side, but do not walk as it is dangerous."
Yet, the reality might be that many people in Mie Prefecture lean towards one side, thinking, "Either side is fine, but I don't want to be in the way." In practice, it appears that people in Mie Prefecture tend to stand on the left side more often.
The Origins of Leaning Towards One Side and Regional Differences
Why did the practice of leaning towards one side while riding escalators start? Why are there regional differences?
The predominance of standing on the right side is due to the concentration of Osaka and its commuting area. "Osaka, along with places like Hyogo, Nara, and Wakayama, is within the Osaka commuting area. To be precise, it's Osaka style until Himeji. Nagoya and other places, however, stand on the left. For Mie Prefecture, it sits right between the east and west metropolitan areas, causing the mix of different styles, including escalator etiquette."
Moreover, the geographical boundary of escalator etiquette is associated with historical characteristics. It divides at two key locations known as "Tenchiwake-me-no-chi." If traveling from the east to the west, the area up to Sekigahara follows the left-side standing style. However, beyond that point, such as Shiga and Kyoto, it becomes diverse, similar to Mie Prefecture. Upon crossing Tennozan and entering Osaka, it changes to the right-side standing style. This suggests that historical influences have significantly shaped not only escalator etiquette but also culture since the Edo period.
Osaka's Initiatives and Tokyo's Natural Development
So, why did the practice of leaning towards one side start? It seems that it began with an announcement in Osaka.
Around 1967, Hankyu Corporation started making announcements such as "Please stand on the right side" for people in a hurry. This continued until 1998, and it became the starting point for the right-side standing style in Osaka. On the other hand, the left-side standing style naturally began in Tokyo around 1989 and gradually spread across the country. Interestingly, when examining international examples, escalator etiquette aligns with the traffic rules of the respective countries.
The development of a right-side standing style in Osaka could be attributed to the focus on commuting to and from Osaka and its surrounding areas. The standard practice of standing on the left side in other regions originated naturally and then spread throughout Japan. Regarding Japan's traffic rules, it's worth noting that, like escalator etiquette, they are connected to the traffic flow in that country.
Furthermore, the adoption of leaning towards one side may have been influenced by the historical context of each period. Since the high economic growth era, Japanese people have been obsessed with the idea of "needing to hurry" and have valued the notion that being fast is always better. The emergence of the practice of standing on one side on escalators corresponds with the economic booms in Osaka and Tokyo. Both cities regarded speed as an absolute good.
However, for safety and transportation efficiency, it is essential to stand still and ride in two columns.
The habit of standing on one side and walking on the other might still be frequently observed today. However, the younger generation may already have developed new norms. It is crucial to continue promoting "standing still while riding" for safety and gradually bring about positive changes in society.