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Train operators asked to install new braille block system after blind man falls to death at station

12 Comments

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism says it has asked train operators to install a new type of the familiar yellow “braille block” system at train stations that see more than 10,000 commuters a day.

The request is in response to an accident on Monday when a 50-year-old blind man fell off the platform at Tsukushino Station on the Tokyu Denentoshi Line and died after being struck by a train. The ministry said a number of similar fatal accidents have been reported at various stations this year. The new system will see larger braille block strips installed on platforms

Meanwhile, NHK reported that the ministry is currently conducting viability studies for sliding doors to be installed on platforms at more JR stations. These can already be found in some Tokyo subway stations.

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12 Comments
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Tokyo train/subway platforms are scary enough for sighted people, I can't imagine negotiating that system blind.

1 ( +5 / -4 )

JR Kyushu provides a station employee to help blind people board trains and somebody to help them off at the destination.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

I once watched a blind man walking in circles on the platform walking dangerously close to the edge a few time. After a couple of minutes of this I had to disembark from my train and run over there and help him out. What disturbed me was that so many people just stared at him and continued on walking. I think a little courtesy from strangers would go a long way in preventing the blind from getting themselves hurt/killed. This happened "where everyone is so talkative and friendly" Osaka.

1 ( +4 / -3 )

I can't believe there are still train station platforms without barriers.

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

I was in middle of no where Kanagawa, I guess south of Tokyo and a blind couple were walking with their canes, and then I noticed that they were going to FALL between the 2 train compartments! I could not speak Japanese 20 years ago, but I yelled to another Japanese dude there on the platform SUMIMASEN! SUMIMASEN and just pointed to those 2 blind folk and luckily the native helped me tell the 2 blind people that that was NOT THE ENTRANCE to the train, it was so scary! RIP poor old dead guy on the Tokyo Denentoshi line.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

Barriers are the solution. Those Braille markings have tripped me up a couple of times, and are total mayhem for suitcases on wheels.

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

Blind people commit suicide too... Just sayin'

-9 ( +1 / -10 )

I think some JT readers randomly good thumb, bad thumb comments without reading them or understanding them.

-6 ( +1 / -7 )

Meanwhile, NHK reported that the ministry is currently conducting viability studies for sliding doors to be installed on platforms at more JR stations. These can already be found in some Tokyo subway stations.

.....and while they conduct more and more and more STUDIES, more people will fall to their DEATHS...

RIP Blind man

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

@Hide Actually I agree with BlueWitch. She is right on target with her comment. If you are Japanese or have been here for any length of time you should know that is always their answer (any company) when something goes terribly wrong. You either get "very regrettable", or "we will study this to make sure it does not happen again." After it happens again then it's back to "very regrettable". LOL :) I wonder if a gate system like they have in some places in GB or NY would be feasible?

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Barriers. It's the only solution! I guess the train operators are accumulating deaths to support their "studies". How many dead people do they need for their "studies" to be finished?!

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

The recording voice of the Japanese narrator's guy streaming on a platform at the train station here in Japan.

His voice sounds very samey blandly and then on top of that why you must say "please waite behind yellow warning blocks last in american & japanese accented compounding.

Very strange unmeaning shank phrase .

What behind ? From the train or the passengers ? You 're very vague spoken .

First of all, those blocks not just yellow warning blocks , braille blocks !!!!

Erroneous Term & Wording keeps calling with a recorded voice from a loud speaker on top of that , in awful narrator's tone voices up .

That voice is being made unpleasant eco flying over the passengers on the platform ,wait for a train coming .

0 ( +0 / -0 )

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