News Japan updates train congestion metrics

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) is revising its guidelines for measuring train congestion levels. The previous method, which relied on passengers' ability to read newspapers or magazines, no longer accurately reflects modern commuting habits. Since at least 2001, MLIT has used diagrams and text descriptions to illustrate different levels of train crowding. However, with the declining popularity of print media, the ministry has determined that these criteria are outdated. Previously, a 150% congestion rate was defined as having enough space to comfortably read a newspaper, while a 200% rate meant significant bodily contact but the ability to read a magazine. These standards are no longer applicable and will be replaced with more relevant indicators.

[...] with the widespread use of smartphones in recent years, much fewer people are reading paper editions of newspapers and magazines on trains. The new expressions describe a 150% congestion rate as "no shoulder-to-shoulder contact; increased crowding near doors," and 180% as "feel shoulder-to-shoulder contact with some pressure; crowding near the doors causes difficulty in changing body position." [...] The ministry aims to limit the average congestion rate during peak hours in the greater Tokyo area to 150%, as overcrowded trains in urban areas have become a social issue. The actual average congestion rate has continued to fall, from 221% in 1975 to 107% in 2020, during the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, and rose back to 136% in 2023.

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Haha that's funny. I've made jokes about measures like this but I didn't realize they actually existed. I always say if you're not touching any other people than the train is nowhere near full. Once you're touching three or more people then you're getting pretty close to capacity.

I wonder if the new metric will be based on how close to your nose your smartphone will be?

I wonder if in communist countries and Muslim countries , if the cell has taken over?

Grandpa Frank said:

View attachment 118279 I wonder if in communist countries and Muslim countries , if the cell has taken over?

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There are only five communist countries in the world these days (China, Cuba, Laos, Vietnam and North Korea), and some of those are communist only in name. The world has moved on. And why should Muslim countries be any different from non-Muslim countries regarding smartphone use? Our commonalities as humans are much greater than our differences.