Tokyo Underground
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54)
Wed 2007/09/12 01:33
People who look like they are in a rush have that look on their face (the I'm-in-a-rush look) but even for people who don't seem in a rush, when they see their train about to leave the platform, their bodies are automatically drawn towards the closing doors like a magnet.
When they miss getting on, the reaction is *always* the same - a brisk 90 degree turn and continue walking down the platform as if nothing happened.
This is actually quite a problem in society which causes accidents and delays. A person died back in 1995 when doing the Kakekomi Josha - he tried to get on a departing train and got his fingers caught in the door. The driver didn't notice and the train departed dragging the man to his death. Whats worse is that the train was a Shinkansen (bullet train.) His family was given 60,000,000 yen as compensation...
I saw kakekomi now and then back in the UK but was suprised when I first got to Japan to see it everyday. Above: Video to encourage people to stop doing Kakekomi. Above: Another video encouraging people to stop - this time showing the " brisk 90 degree turn + walk down the platform" move. Above: While I was looking for these vids, I came across a video related to my previous train suicide post - you can see a big sheet being used to hide the body parts away from the public eye.
BTW, there may be problems with you needing to login again after you close your browser - am looking into it.
Just got back from dinner and this is some of what we had. After living in the UK for...(more)
Wed 09/05 11:41 comments (67)
You are in Japan and are trying to save as ...(more)
Wed 08/29 07:32 comments (49)
NEET (no, student...)
wow...possibly the first post? well, I "lied" in the poll I know of no Kakekomi Jousha, but train suicide is still popular... which is annoying... couldn't they die else where, rather than in the public?
(ID #56606) Posted on 2007/09/12 01:49
Student
Isn't there a safety feature on the train. Such as if the door can't close, the train can't start? lol ....
(ID #56608) Posted on 2007/09/12 01:55
Student
It's pretty amusing to see people running towards the door when it is going to close. It can be dangerous, one time I was in the subway and a person was running uber fast while the doors got shut. Annnnddd~ Kabam, since the doors has windows.... You get what I mean ;D Sometimes it happen to me, I usually do the 90 degree thing and start walking towards the end thinking nothings happened xD
(ID #56609) Posted on 2007/09/12 01:56
That second video, the guy ran into the door! The white sheet is very disheartening- I'm guilty of running for train doors, even though I know its dangerous.. Recently we've had ads about not straying too close to the platform, lest you fall or be clipped. We don't have those walls- but a lot of stations are outside too.
(ID #56611) Posted on 2007/09/12 02:02
"got his fingers caught in the door. The driver didn't notice and the train departed dragging the man to his death. Whats worse is that the train was a Shinkansen (bullet train.)" I know I shouldn´t but...XDXD Forgive me. XD
(ID #56612) Posted on 2007/09/12 02:13
I have found myself doing this on occasion, in Taiwan they are putting up the safety doors on the platform to prevent people from being dragged by the train (or jumping infront of it).
(ID #56613) Posted on 2007/09/12 02:15
Dropping computers, starting all over again at Journalism
I've seen people rushing on subway stations here. I've even witnessed people rushing into subways running away from cops. Cops managed to stop the subway and get in too.. dunno if the criminals got caught though. Never heard of accidents related to those. But it probably happens... it's just that I don't know of any. Also, subways in Brazil are not exactly fast, so there's probably time for the... subway driver(?) to realize there's something wrong. On my trip to Japan I saw several times Kakekomi Josha... companies are too strict about getting late to work, and it's pretty normal for people to get late. So I kinda understand why people do that. Commuting usually takes a long time too. But I never do stuff like that. You can never be too careful while boarding on trains and subways.
(ID #56614) Posted on 2007/09/12 02:18
mahou kishi
In mexico city that is very normal, when I was there, and used the "metro" sometimes even when the doors where closed I opened them by force to enter and I saved a lot of time :D people was impressed, most people cant open those doors
(ID #56615) Posted on 2007/09/12 02:20
I saw that quite frequently in Japan, the conductors in the back train were looking out for those who were kakekomi josha wouldn't end up like that guy. I myself had my shoulders slammed on by the doors when I rushed to board a subway in Hong Kong lol, I learned to wait it out from now on.
(ID #56617) Posted on 2007/09/12 02:33
I tended to go like that a while ago (when I still was living in Paris), considering the awful amount of time between trains. It included a crazy run, a long jump and some ninja-style landing... Yes, really insane of me. But I never did that when the train signal was on... I valued my life back then and I do even more now... Even if this means being late. The purpose of me taking the train is different too now (going to school vs. visiting my family) 60 million yen don't replace a life that was ended by rush and foolishness (forgive me for that choice of words, but it's the truth). I just hope this accident made train designers think of more safety-related materials and mechanisms. animes, you should consider the possible delays you can cause by doing this. It can be fairly common practice around the world (I have seen that much often in Paris too), and it is also recognized here, to the point that you can get $500 can. dollars for this altruistic but undesired move. -Sorry for this long rant-
(ID #56618) Posted on 2007/09/12 02:43
heh.... trains in new zealand no one rides 'em cause they are so bad. I for one don't want to be consistantly 30mins late for everything.
(ID #56619) Posted on 2007/09/12 02:45
Read fined $500 canadian dollars... What a mistake I did on expressing my thoughts. @animes (again): I have to add I did what you wrote some times in the past (to help others) and I think I changed my mind for the better on this subject since then. This practice should not be encouraged, even if you are then seen as an egoistic brute.
(ID #56620) Posted on 2007/09/12 02:50
Anonymous
´(the Japanese language has words for everything! ^^;) ´ That is a very weeaboo thing to say.
(ID #56621) Posted on 2007/09/12 03:00
anime/cosplay events organizer
kakekomi is a normal thing here in the phils and there's nothing recorded so far of an accident or death
(ID #56625) Posted on 2007/09/12 03:54
Web Design & Development
I watched someone do that in Vancouver, he would've made it too if he hadn't tripped and smashed his face on the window. He rolled around on the ground for about a minute clutching his head and swearing while the train slowly started up and left.
(ID #56628) Posted on 2007/09/12 04:06
Desktop Support Analyst
Young and dangerous...
(ID #56629) Posted on 2007/09/12 04:08
kakekomi isn't really a problem where I live, since if like anything gets caught (that's hard) in between the doors, they just automatically open again....thus halting the train's departure...
(ID #56631) Posted on 2007/09/12 04:16
haha they're trying to act cool! i wonder whats the problem with it...nothing happened in the encouraging videos, or am i getting something wrong?
(ID #56634) Posted on 2007/09/12 04:51
the only subway in ehre is downtown i hardly go to downtown so i guess not? lol canada has crappy subway system in comparison to japan and hk
(ID #56635) Posted on 2007/09/12 05:05
Kakekomi Philippines version happens everyday; mostly during the rush hour. Unlike what I saw in the video where there aren't much people in front of the doors, people crowd in the platform most of the time and they squeeze in packs close to where the door would stop one the train's coming in. At this point, one would suffocate from body heat. Kakekomi (Phil. version) also causes delay and train problems, which lead to more Kakekomi actions in the next train stations/platforms. Train station photos (time: 7:00 PM): While waiting for the train Top view This is not me
(ID #56636) Posted on 2007/09/12 05:08
hmm.. html didn't show photo links Train station photos (time: 7:00 PM): Waiting for the train: http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1087/1358442326_06bb688d12.jpg?v=0 Top View: http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1440/1357550833_e2ebc83e52.jpg?v=0 This is not me: http://www.bikoy.net/images/jomainlrt.jpg
(ID #56637) Posted on 2007/09/12 05:10
Would you believe there is no public transportation in Arizona.. there are a couple buses, but I have literally never seen anyone on them, .. except the driver. No subway, as the water out here only penetrates 1' into the ground, then the rest becomes rock solid. Lots of cars though!
(ID #56641) Posted on 2007/09/12 05:41
Hobby Store clerk guy thing...
Aaah, reminds me of my high school days. Running to catch the train/tram along with my fellow classmates, holding the door open forcefully for other comrades to board the train/tram, laughing at the ones who didn't make it, laughing harder at the ones who decided to climb onto the back of the train/tram and hitch a ride... actually taht was pretty dangerous too o_o; I can't say I ever heard of any fatal injuries from being caught in the doors tho.
(ID #56649) Posted on 2007/09/12 07:16
Part-time Slacker, Part-time Student
My country has a different case: People trying to enter the subway before the doors are opened. People are having a hard time getting out instead. "Just stand away from the doors, you people!!!"
(ID #56652) Posted on 2007/09/12 08:10
idon't have the subway in my city
(ID #56654) Posted on 2007/09/12 10:38
VF-25 Pilot. Universariate Scholar.
nope, nothing like that here. but just to grief abit, the public transport sucks!!! cabbies always rip you off, buses are acceptable at best and the train service is negligible.
(ID #56656) Posted on 2007/09/12 11:08
In my country, the trains don't even close its doors, people just hanging out of it while holding each other, because its way too full. If theres not enough space inside, people climb on top of the train to sit. There's couple of accidents involving the people getting smashed when train going into tunnel or simply loosen their grip and leads to death.
(ID #56657) Posted on 2007/09/12 11:13
IT, Programmer, ...
Hehe, I kinda do it myself when rushing towards a tram that's about to leave, pressing the button to open the door, but it's already too late. Many people do it, but I've never really seen people forcefully keeping the door open.
(ID #56658) Posted on 2007/09/12 11:14
koy in Luxembourg
I had my foot caught in a door of an S-Bahn in Berlin. Managed to get it out b4 the train departed though ^^ In Japan I've done it too, always managed to get in though ^^ (although once it was very close when entering a shinkansen :S)
(ID #56660) Posted on 2007/09/12 11:52
Anime Store Owner, artist, Web master
Oh yeah does this happen here. I live in New York, trains to the city from Long Island can get like that in the morning or just simply the common rush of the New York City Subways.
(ID #56662) Posted on 2007/09/12 11:54
Mandalorian in training + Otaku...
@Setsuna-san : I agree with you. Enough grieve cause by the public transport here ^^
(ID #56664) Posted on 2007/09/12 11:57
Hey Lazy Fiend must be singapore :D !!! anyway haha ... i think rushing for trains is normal. who wants to wait for the next train when one is still there??
(ID #56665) Posted on 2007/09/12 12:00
Gundamjehutykai in Foundation II: Stellvia
That kind of thing happens everywhere, even here in the UK! Then again, we have to endure frequent delays, Worker strikes, expensive ticket prices and assorted other issues so ppl trying to squeeze in at the last minute are the least of our worries. Damn london transport...
(ID #56667) Posted on 2007/09/12 12:05
1st year Civil Engineering Student
No trains at all in my city. Heck not even one commercial train service on the whole of Borneo Island!!! Apart from the tourist train in Sabah. That's why I'm always very excited when I get to ride a train... it's a rare experience for me... XD
(ID #56668) Posted on 2007/09/12 12:55
Administrative Assistant
We do not have any kind of mass transit metro rail in Madison...surprisingly. Though I think there was finally talk of building one. but I won't hold my breath.
(ID #56670) Posted on 2007/09/12 13:29
LOL at the second video!! and sometimes, singapore has such things too..recently, I saw this plump guy who was squeezed for a second or 2 by the door before the censor opened the door and let him thru.. I sweat for him..
(ID #56674) Posted on 2007/09/12 16:56
I managed to experience the crowded trains a fair few times in Japan, and i was amazed to see business men coming back at about 10pm...thats a very late time to finish work. Once when i was in Hakone, the train was soo crowded i decided to wait for the next one ^_^
(ID #56675) Posted on 2007/09/12 18:06
The same thing happens here at Mexico, but instead of undergrund its on the steets....like at every country...we all have crowded streets
(ID #56678) Posted on 2007/09/12 22:36
2nd vid was funny
(ID #56680) Posted on 2007/09/12 22:40
High School Student, College student, Part-time Ninja
In Hong Kong, the MTR (the subway company there) have retrofitted all the old underground subway stations with platform screen doors to prevent people from jumping or push off. All the new stations come with it. Even the new KCR West Rail got them now. It seems like all indoor/underground stations got them now a days. Also all the trains have sensor on the door way to detect any movement and abnormal bumps (fingers). But to do this for the entire subway system in Japan or at least big city will be really expensive.
(ID #56681) Posted on 2007/09/12 23:21
I always wondered why people would run up two flights of stairs to get to a train that was just going to be replaced by another one in 2 minutes.
(ID #56736) Posted on 2007/09/13 14:42
gusgus, if it was only a matter of two minutes (how great would it be if it was like that everywhere!), I guess this behavior wouldn't even happen, except for those with "each second counts" policy or people who want some potentially deadly thrill. I definitely want to say that your idea of "two minutes" trains are an utopia. I have never seen such a functional train system in my life. Or you'd have to show me where we can find it. ...And yes, modern societies have made us so stressed and conscious of time that we get crazy for the smallest things, including the time intervals between trains.
(ID #56740) Posted on 2007/09/13 15:46
kumo in Shirokane
In New York we dont have a name for it. It is assumed that if one can get a bag, baby carriage, foot or someother body part into a closing subway door, the door would not close but would open automatically. Dont believe it. The conductor controls the doors. Sometimes he needs to just open it a few inches to let that person off the hook, (pun intended) at which point the said party will punish themselves for being so rude and selfish by slamming their hand or foot on the moving train.
(ID #56744) Posted on 2007/09/13 17:50
Boss hunter, really!
in my country is a common problem, so the guards are so rude with people, so this is the problem,. thanks for the videos, i love it!
(ID #56753) Posted on 2007/09/13 18:23
In Spain many accidents happens in subway, but is many rare that one of them was mortal. It looks that people lose common sense...
(ID #56777) Posted on 2007/09/13 20:28
When I was younger I watched dubbed anime all the time.But now I do prefer the original japanese with subs.I havent totally given up on dubs yet.It really depends on how they dubbed the anime.The voices have to match the characters personality.The resent Higurashi dubb to me is horrible!And when I watched the Haruhi dub I felt betrayed somehow.I buy anime dvds released in America and watched the subbtiled version of it and lend it to my freinds who cant watch it online.
(ID #56836) Posted on 2007/09/14 04:52
oops posted in wrong blod.sorry
(ID #56837) Posted on 2007/09/14 04:53
Interactive Media Design and Graphic Design
We indeed have this in Washington DC Metro too. It’s the biggest meanness to train doors too. Older train’s doors get broken and either won't close or open after someone dose something like this. Only thing metro does is remind people that metro doors will not open if they strike an object, I see a lot less of this so maybe people are learning. Also, you will enjoy this. I got on a train and there was a very pissed off guy there who got off the train. It turned out that guy was kakekomi and got in, but his hand that was behind him with a bagg did not, his hand got stock and he dropped his bagg. People tried to help him get his hand in, but could not, so they tried to pull emergency stop and that thing fell apart. LOL talk about bed luck, emergency break broke as well. The they were able to get him back in, but he was very angry and cursing. (sorry for a long post)
(ID #56890) Posted on 2007/09/14 15:18
well its like this really people in japan are so busy in work that they don't even see if thier already bumping another person, or may e pushing someone to the train railings. as for the women getting touched..........well......some women like it some don't as for those perverts who try to touch women try not to get seen otherwise your ON A HELL OF A bEATING!
(ID #56920) Posted on 2007/09/15 05:30
oh yeah and just to add bout the train accidents and touching women thingy..........here in philipp........er.....cybertron......there is a strictly policy that no one is allowed to step on the borther line near the train so no one will fall down. also the security gaurds are always on the look out, so everybodies safe.
(ID #56921) Posted on 2007/09/15 05:36
well the special move seems to be mastered by many through out the planet earth.. and to some extend, i'm one of them most of the time
(ID #56936) Posted on 2007/09/15 12:30
Interactive Media Design and Graphic Design
on the note what eatyouforbreakfast posted. same in Belarus (where I was born in Eastern Europe). They are very sticked about the lines. We have white line that if you cross, there will be a louder women voice saying "GET AWAY FROM THE LINE NOW" and been embraced since she is talking about you, you will. I rarely heard of accidents on metro back there. However when I was in Moscow, I did get caught in the doors lol, just closed as i was in the doors, good thing they open. ^^
(ID #57045) Posted on 2007/09/17 00:21
Slacker
My Mom is a paralegal in Washington D.C. and says people do it all the time. They get their briefcase stuck or make the door continuously open because more and more and more people come onto the train. The doors have motion detection though so it usually stops closing when someone passes by preventing harm to people. But sometimes little things like bags and briefcases don't get detected and get stuck. They also have the person saying "PLEASE MOVE AWAY FROM THE CLOSING DOORS".
(ID #310545) Posted on 2008/09/23 10:37
