OSAKA - At the Osaka-Kansai Expo, the common Japanese practice of leaving one side of the escalator open for those in a hurry is quietly disappearing. Instead, both visitors and commuters are increasingly adopting a two-row standing system, both at the venue and nearby Yumeshima Station.
On the long escalator ascending to the Expo's signature Grand Roof Ring, people can be seen calmly standing side-by-side without anyone walking up. This orderly pattern has become the norm at the Expo—so what’s behind this shift?
Back in the 1970s, when escalators spread across Japan, two-row standing was the standard. But during the economic bubble era, the culture shifted as courtesy toward busy office workers led to the “stand-left, walk-right” norm. Train announcements commonly asked riders to keep the left side clear for walkers.
More recently, however, a reversal has begun. Due to an uptick in accidents involving falls on escalators, some local governments—such as Saitama and Aichi—have passed ordinances promoting the two-row method, explicitly discouraging walking on escalators.
Former Nagoya mayor Takashi Kawamura supported the move, saying, "Don't walk—stand still."
There’s also data suggesting the two-row system is more efficient in crowded conditions. In one simulation comparing “leave-one-side-open” versus “two-row” methods, it took 1 minute and 12 seconds less to move 450 people using the two-row style.
At Yumeshima Station, which serves as the gateway to the Expo, a special mechanism has been installed to discourage walking. Using LED lights to guide where people should stand and highlight step edges, the system encourages visitors to stay in place.
As of today, the two-row formation was clearly visible at the station—perhaps a sign that these interventions are working. But is the change really due to public messaging and technology?
One escalator expert suggests the answer may be simpler. “The Expo site is a relaxed, extraordinary space. People are just enjoying the scenery, which naturally leads them to stand side-by-side.”
Whether this style will spread nationwide remains uncertain. In places like Saitama, where two-row standing is legally encouraged, many residents say walking on the right still persists. One commuter noted, "People are always climbing on the right," while another commented, "If I stop on the right side, I get pressured from behind."
Another added, "Japanese people tend to be considerate, so they instinctively move to the left."
Source: TBS
