Interesting Facts!! #59

59. Women Only Train Cars

There are subway and train cars offered in Japan that are only intended to be used by women, labeled Women-only Passenger Car or "The Flower Train". These types of trains have been around for around 50 years in Japan but recently boomed. Other countries such as India, Egypt, Iran, Brazil, etc have these cars, while other countries have demanded their introduction.

Particularly, in Japan women only cars were introduced to fight against gropers (Chikan). The women only car policies vary from company to company: some women only cars are only effective during rush hour, others throughout the day or only are available for express subways and trains. Generally, these cars are in effect weekdays, except holidays. Posted throughout the platforms and train doors are signs that indicate which cars are for women only,and the dates and times they are in use. Although only intended for women, young male elementary school student, people with disabilities and their assistants are allowed to board the women-only cars by most train operators in Japan. 

In crowded commuter trains, groping has been a major problem in Japan according to a survey that was conducted. The survey revealed that two-third of female passengers in their 20s and 30s had been reportedly groped on trains, and the majority had be frequently victimized. The authorities are unable to stop these criminals due to the crowded trains and the inability to pinpoint the perpetrators, courts have been lenient, and the victims are too ashamed to come forward about the incident. Railway companies and the police have worked together to bring awareness to this shameful act by putting up posters (stating molesting is a crime and to speak up) but there has been no reverse to this trend. Over a time of 8 years the Tokyo police reported, in 2004, a threefold increase of reported groping on public transportation.

Many train companies had to introduce late-night and evening rush hour women only cars due to complaints of drunken men being gropers, and mixed train cars being too crowded and the stops too far apart allowing the gropers more of a chance to violate women.The ineffectiveness of campaigns to raise awareness to and prevent groping lead to many more train companies to follow suit and provide women only cars throughout the day. 

Both men and women in Japan have shown positive reactions to the women only cars. Women have stated the safety they feel away from potential groping, and not having to tolerate various smells on a crowded mixed-gender train car. Men expressed not having to be worried of false accusations of being a groper. Many still believe that mixed trains are far too crowded and put women at more of a risk than ever. Foreign or visually-impaired men had been seen unknowingly boarding and riding on women only trains, passengers would notify them and the men would face serious embarrassment.

When visiting Japan when commuting be aware of which cars are mixed and women only. If you a male you don't want to face the embarrassing situation when you figure out you are in a car only for women. If you are a female and feel uncomfortable riding in an overly crowded mixed train, feel free to enter that women only car they were made for your safety!

-The more you know~