The ruling took effect on October 1 in the city of Nagoya.
In an unusual move aimed at public safety, a city in Japan has banned people from walking on escalators Independent reported. The regulation, which came into effect in Nagoya on October 1, requires people to stand on escalators instead of walking on them to avoid accidents.
According to the regulation, people are required to stand still when riding escalators in public places such as train stations, office buildings and shopping centers. Kyodo News reported. Surprisingly, there are no penalties for breaking the rule.
Notably, in Japan it is common for people on escalators to stop on the left side and leave the right side so that people can walk up or down. However, authorities now hope that people on either side will remain silent at train stations and other buildings.
The move comes after several reported incidents of people losing their balance and knocking over others, as well as accidents involving commuters running up and down escalators. There are also dangers for people with disabilities or injuries who require crutches or walking sticks.
Between 2018 and 2019, a total of 805 escalator accidents were categorized as caused by ‘improper use’. Japanese times.
The Nagoya city government has also put up posters about the new ordinance at major train stations. Some of these posters feature cartoons about escalators, with messages such as, “Let’s stop and go both right and left” and “If you use escalators, stop and use both the right and left sides.” It’s my duty!”
Nagoya is the second city in Japan to introduce such a regulation. In October 2021, Saitama Prefecture also banned any movement while riding escalators. The ordinance asked places with escalators to post signage asking passengers not to walk or run on the machines.
