A train runs on the Yamanote line in Tokyo. Photo: WIKIPEDIA
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Security cameras to be introduced on JR Yamanote Line trains

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It is amazing how "the Olympics" and "terrorism" is all it takes.

Soon there will be cameras in all train cars.

8 ( +12 / -4 )

Also do not forget groping

12 ( +14 / -2 )

JR East said it will take necessary measures in accordance with its company codes and relevant laws to protect the privacy of passengers

Being in a public place (park, ward office) or place open to the public (trains, McDonald's) negates any reasonable expectation of privacy.

7 ( +10 / -3 )

 (Security cameras are) necessary to prevent terrorism as well,"

No they don't. They are there to identify the culprits after the fact. They cannot prevent terrorist attacks from happening unless one of the JR workers happens to be psychic

10 ( +15 / -5 )

JR East said it will take necessary measures in accordance with its company codes and relevant laws to protect the privacy of passengers

Better to put the cameras where the drivers are sitting, to protect the safety and well being of the passengers first.

3 ( +7 / -4 )

Safety over freedom. Yay!

-5 ( +3 / -8 )

"Security cameras".... please will be hooked up to a facial recognition system just like the movie Minority Report where you can track the movements of a person or persons... in fact this is exactly what is in the movie.

-3 ( +3 / -6 )

Already done at airports.

A few years back the introduced a system that can check walking, shown on TV. Takes 3-4 recorded steps to match 96% accuracy, faces, heads were covered. Height, sex are ignored too.

6 ( +7 / -1 )

It seems that government might put security cameras in everybody's houses someday, because of best prevention of terrorisms.

-1 ( +8 / -9 )

"Crimes and nuisance are becoming noticeable on trains. (Security cameras are) necessary to prevent terrorism as well,"

They are over using terrorism as a reason to reduce our freedom, like if a camera will ever prevent a bomb to explode !

5 ( +9 / -4 )

 cost around 2 billion yen ($18 million),

The yen seems artificially weak in this article.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

make them continuous public broadcasts

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

if they are gonna sack out on cameras, why not add putting barriers on platforms as well.

5 ( +7 / -2 )

Cameras don't stop terrorism unless they are actively looking for specific targets. These types of skills of observation will be way above the paygrade of the average station security or employee. That means the cameras will need to be connected to face recognition software to truly stop terrorism. They will use the info from the airports and international agencies that they have agreements with like the US. The other way will be from the Department of Motor vehicles because most people will have some form of picture ID. All government forms of identification will have an IC chip in them by 2020.

I also think they are doing this to eliminate the "Women Only" trains to save themselves the embarrassment of letting the rest of the world know that there a quite a few pervy Japanese men who can't keep their hands to themselves, so they have to treat the genders like children.

6 ( +8 / -2 )

Not really 550 stations x cost, was on the news today.

Cámeras will be to one side of the exits, most likely draw power from vids and displays. Minor work.

Mostly overhead so putting down one hand can still trigger a false positive.

Like with most such cameras no realtime surveilance just recordings for later use/inspections

6 ( +6 / -0 )

 (Security cameras are) necessary to prevent terrorism as well,"

No they don't. They are there to identify the culprits after the fact. They cannot prevent terrorist attacks from happening unless one of the JR workers happens to be psychic

I thought the same thing. If they prevented terrorist attacks, then London would have been safe

6 ( +8 / -2 )

Japanese ministries and private companies have an abysmal record in protecting supposed private data. This is hardly news...

0 ( +1 / -1 )

There hasn't been any terrorism on JR trains so the reasoning that cameras will prevent it is flawed. Mr Tomita might as well argue that making passengers stand on one leg prevents terrorism.

8 ( +9 / -1 )

I think if the train riders would pay more attention to there surroundings and get their damn faces off there phone screens that much of this groping and rape on trains would stop. I am a gajin and perhaps because of my budoka training I believe in defending those who can't defend them selves so if I saw some dude feeling up a young lady or even a guy I would step in and trounce the villain

-8 ( +3 / -11 )

They're only now coming to terms with introducing security cameras on train cars. Sounds like the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics scheduled in 2020 have served as major triggers to install them. Some attempt is better than no attempt at all.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Safety over freedom. Yay!

But what freedom are you talking about exactly? We are talking about passengers on trains here not ppl at home, onsens, public toilets etc.

Personally there is nothing 'new/different' I would do/not do if I knew there were cctv cameras on trains. Am not saying it will solve everything as am yet to see evidence the presence of cctv cameras actually reduces crime but am happy to give it go on a couple of 'sensitive' lines i.e Yamanote and see how it goes.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Lawyers advise finding witnesses recording it all (voice/video) and never go to the station office.

Was once pulled in for an alleged manbiki(wore tight clothing any goods would show.

Cops arrived.

She pulled out a 2nd keitai allegedly showing the act, and claimed I lived in her apartment(mine has 6) and living close to City-hall.

All fabrications.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Talking about cameras and trains, (and please forgive the off-topic comment), but that is another brilliant shot. Some of the photography on JT since the revamp is really stunning, IMHO.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

This is more part of the anti groping drive than for terrorist prevention.  although it might also be to comfort foreign visitors in run up to and during Olympics.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

I'm pretty sure it is all about chikan activity more than anything...

But here again I dont think it would be really effective; dissuassive maybe but not effective enough.

The groping takes place in crowded trains, when the promiscuity is a great way to sexually touch a target. On this case, how a video camera would be good enough to focus on that guilty hand or shoot how the chikan rubs himself on the victim? when everyone is on everyone ??

Educate people to help each other, to act and protect in case of touching would be more efficient I think. As said James Campbell earlier:

I think if the train riders would pay more attention to there surroundings and get their damn faces off there phone screens that much of this groping and rape on trains would stop. I am a gajin and perhaps because of my budoka training I believe in defending those who can't defend them selves so if I saw some dude feeling up a young lady or even a guy I would step in and trounce the villain

I tottaly agree with u. We should ALL DO THIS.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

The only problem is that this being Japan, I imagine the footage and/or screen captures will find their way to websites rather quickly. Especially any of scantily dressed females or anyone who can be made fun of for how they look or dress. I agree with the concept of the cameras but I dont trust anyone to safeguard what is captured.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

My simple question is; how can CCTV prevent an actual bomber, or a van driver, or a person wielding a hammer carrying out their act? They don't seem to be pretty concerned about being filmed, caught or killed. In fact, they seem to be pretty determined and all the cameras in the world won't stop the most determined.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

"You know what internet tough guys aren't? Tough."

And yet there are people in the real world who would still defend the weak. Those three me in Portland recently defending those two girls, at least one being a Muslim girl.

Regardless I see no reason not to put cameras on board trains. It is not a private place. Stopping a current terrorist act it will not, (especially if not a live feed) stopping terrorism it could, depending on your definition of what "stopping" means.

But yes less gropping hopefully and even less people being accused of it, less purse snatchings, etc. But as someone else mentioned, more railings/barriers to would be nice also.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

I thought they already had CCTV... obviously not

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Citizan2012..They are over using terrorism as a reason to reduce our freedom, How, why? I don't understand your thoughts, if you going about you daily business and doing nothing wrong how will these cameras interfere with that? the cameras are monitoring the situation/people who are up to no good, I am sure most woman will feel a lot more comfortable with these cameras, it will send out a message to pervs, and gropers your going more likely to get caught.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Why are we suddenly installing cameras now? Groping has been a problem for such a long time, and now that men are taking out false accusation insurance or asking for men only carriages, there's a sudden announcement that cameras will be included... Am I missing something?

0 ( +1 / -1 )

During the recent terror attacks in London, the police responded to the threat within 8 minutes. Could camera surveillance have contributed to that?

Genuine question, if anyone knows.

I fear this is veering wildly off topic but perhaps the CCTV will help more in the wake of the attack, in tracing suspects movements and actions. The police have been on high alert following the Manchester attrocity, so the rapid response was to be expected. And well done to them, as well.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Quote: "The cameras will be placed near display panels above doors."

Right, now that we know, let's all move away from the cameras. Thanks for telling us... ;-)

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

JR has introduced cameras in train cars since 2010. https://www.jreast.co.jp/press/2010/20100403.pdf

There seems to be almost no reports on the effectiveness of the cameras. I think there is no report because there was no effect.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

This might have a positive effect against the groping fondlers fearing detection, but it's highly unlikely the footage can be used for convictions, unless the train is not crowded. I use the Yamanote often and it is packed to the rafters during peak hours. I just hope that, these cameras can be used to avoid false accusations. That would make them worthwhile.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Happy to know this.I actually didn’t know about this. Thanks!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

If you're on a train you're already out in public and could easily already be being followed/secretly recorded by an undercover police officer anyway. Certainly I doubt I would notice if someone followed me though a major station and onto a train. I don't really get why so many people are up in arms over a perceived loss of privacy when we have none (on trains at least) to start with.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

So these security cameras will be focused upon what exactly ? Girls showing Cleavage... or the whole carriage (which wouldn't be possible, so several would be required and how ... within such a sardine can packed environment will they determine if a guy was raising his hand to grab the hand rail/hook or was simply attempting to touch a persons body inappropriately (yeah I say Persons... ) . Do you think Women alone are the ones who have been touched by someone.... *#!""##$ when some guy inadvertently touches me, I give him what for and if it happens again, he's toasted verbally or Physically... I suggest Women here do the same!

If I was in the same carriage as a Women being harassed, I wouldn't stand by, heck no, I'd step in and ask if I could assist... And if a Woman did the same for me, then good her too, the more the merrier. It's an attitude issue, and if you touch someone by mistake, say sorry (Gomenasai) , and politely back off And if they didn't, well oh and I'm small, but that doesn't stop me. Anyone just asking if they can help, will immediately be able to diffuse a situation, or pause it long enough for others to also assist or at least, delay the attacker for a bit, be them Weirdo or Terrorist... though both are probably the same...

0 ( +0 / -0 )

"If I was in the same carriage as a Women being harassed, I wouldn't stand by, heck no, I'd step in and ask if I could assist..."

Although I agree on helping out, why even bother to ask though? Ain't no one got time for that. Plus I like the element of surprise anyway.

Regarding the cameras, they could have a wide view if need be so you don't need a lot of them per cabin per say.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

If you're on a train you're already out in public

I consider those trains as a private corporation services for paid customers who are using it without signing for any Term of Use, I want to have my privacy protected using this services.

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

I consider those trains as a private corporation services for paid customers who are using it without signing for any Term of Use, I want to have my privacy protected using this services.

They are public places. Anywhere outside a private home is a public place.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

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