[Alberta's Child]

Actually, I think many of the stations in the Tokyo subway system are built that way -- and that's one of the most civilized places on the planet.

It's not a safety feature designed to deal with loony-tunes who might shove people on the tracks. It's intended to deal with accidental mishaps under very large, surging crowds.

Of course, in Japan you probably don't have to worry about surging crowds or anything like that. Just check out how orderly these people are while their fellow subway riders are crammed into the train in front of them:

These people are probably following a posted rule that says they aren't supposed to cross the white line on the platform until the next train arrives in the station. Imagine that ... following rules.

[GeronL]

civilized?

kiddie porn possession is legal in Tokyo

U-15 (Under-15) perv shops litter the place

girls can sell dirty used underwear

underage prostitution is considered a good way to earn “pocket money” by minors

Half their anime (TV cartoons) usually has at least one story line glorifying sex among/with minors

What is their age of consent these days... 10? 12? not that it’s enforced.

CIVILIZED??

There is no honor there.

[wideawake]

Unquestioning observance of prescribed rules is not synonymous with civilization.

The history of the 20th century should have put paid to argument before you wrote it.

[wideawake]

Unquestioning observance of prescribed rules is not synonymous with civilization.

The history of the 20th century should have put paid to that argument before you wrote it.