Y'hama designates all subway seats for Taro!

[Taro Toporific]

I have been riding the trains in Japan recently, in the Okayama area, and have noticed the people don't give their seats up...school to find out why they don't. I never thought about why they tend not to. I guess it's different for each area.

Walking on crutches, I've been doing an informal "study" for over 30 years. Crowding on the train is the main factor for NOT giving up the seat . It does not vary around Japan: the more people on the rain, the fewer offers (which are rare anyway in Japan).

If I look very touristy and lost with luggage tags hanging on my backpack: seats are offered 5 out 10 times (rather than the regular once out 10 ten rides). Reason: the Japan National Tourist Organization's brainstem implants over-ride the normal Japanese behavior.
Bottom Line: It pays to be a pale alien.

[kurohinge1]

...Bottom Line: It pays to be a pale alien ...

It sure does. I, and the other "silvers", have no trouble getting our "silver seats" when we travel by rail.
Although, to do so, we have been known to abduct the odd recalcitrant J-commuter and dump them in North Korea.



My friend Rufus, although not a "silver", also has no trouble ...

[Kuang_Grade]

The first time I saw the "silver seat" sign, I thought, "What the hell is the Schwa Corporation sign doing on this train?"

[spunky_karasu]

I have yet to see that sign. Thanks for the info.

[Taro Toporific]

I have yet to see that sign. Thanks for the info.

The signage changed April 1st of this year.

Old sign.


New sign

[Blah Pete]

Worst time I ever had was when I had a broken collar bone and had this big brace on which was visible through my shirt (summer time). I was reduced to moving at oyajisan speed. Anyway I am on the Tokaido Line
and aligning my butt to sit down (had to move real slow) and some asshole about 30 yrs old comes and shoves me out of the way and takes the seat. I almost fell over and screamed from the pain.
2 high school girls and 1 boy through the guy out of the seat and let me sit down. It was the girls that initiated the action too...