Walking or standing still on the escalator? With so many train stations and shopping areas, there are many escalators in Japan. Frequently this issue is in the news. Finally, one prefecture is doing something about it!
This is the situation -- People are busy and need to get to work or to catch a connecting train so they want to move quickly up or down the escalator. Others want to stand still. Depending on where in Japan you are, the standers stand on the right or the left and the walkers (sometimes runners) move on the other side. SoraNews24 reported that there were 775 escalator accidents in Japan last year, half of which were caused by not standing still and not holding the railing.
On March 26th, Saitama Precture (which borders Tokyo) passed an ordinance forbidding walking on escalators. This goes into effect in October. I don't know if there will be a penalty for walking after the ordinance goes into effect.
I live in a slower area and don't feel the need to walk on the escalator, even when I go to a city. In addition, as a foreigner, I need to be on my best behavior and not do anything that could cause an accident or annoy someone. What is it like where you live? Is walking on the escalator okay? Do you do it?
