Nagoya City in Japan Introduces "Halt and Stay Patrol" to Lessen Escalator Mishaps
In the city of Nagoya, Japan, standing motionless on escalators has become a paid occupation as part of an innovative campaign to minimize accidents and establish order, especially during the approaching 2026 Asian Games.
This novel job, often referred to as the "Stop and Stand Squad," is a component of Nagoya's initiative to promote a local ordinance implemented in 2023. This ordinance, which prohibits individuals from walking up escalators in train stations, commercial establishments, and office buildings throughout the city, has been put in place chiefly due to safety concerns.
Regrettably, despite a comprehensive advertising campaign featuring posters and announcements, the message has not been entirely effective in reaching the public. Worries about escalator-related injuries remain, as not enough individuals seem to be adhering to the rule of standing still for the entire duration of their journey.
The need for this regulation arose from the 125 injuries sustained in escalator accidents in 2021. Moreover, Nagoya anticipates an influx of visitors during the 2026 Asian Games, slated from September 19 to October 4, further emphasizing the necessity for orderliness.
Traditional escalator etiquette in Japan articulates that users should stand on one side to allow those in a hurry to pass up the free side of the escalator. However, this varies across regions, with Tokyo and eastern Japan favoring a left-side stance, and Osaka and the west opting for the right side. In Nagoya, the focus is primarily on standing still to ensure safety, deviating from these regional conventions.
Unlike in some other cities, Nagoya has chosen not to impose penalties for non-compliance with the regulations. Instead, they rely on public awareness campaigns to effect change in behavior. Despite the absence of punishments, there are still many individuals who opt to walk on escalators.
The innovative "Stop and Stand Squad" job, situated within Nagoya's health-and-wellness industry, aims to promote fitness-and-exercise by enforcing a local ordinance, implemented in 2023, that prohibits walking up escalators. This financial endeavor is an essential part of Nagoya's strategy to minimize transportation accidents, particularly during the upcoming 2026 Asian Games. The regulation, established primarily due to safety concerns, has been insufficiently observed, leading to persistent concerns about escalator-related injuries.
