Crowded Tokyo trains worse than Singapore's MRT?

Whenever you see complaints about our crowded MRT trains, some readers will always bring out examples of other city trains, especially Tokyo commuter trains. For example in these videos...

(Youtube video by TheFatFinger)

(Youtube video by d0b33)

I have worked in Tokyo previously and I have been on those rush hour trains and truthfully, they are not as 'bad' as they are made out to be.

Yes, it is very crowded (Tokyo has 12.7m population) and it's true that people are packed like sardines into the trains as in the above video, but that only happens at the peak of the morning rush.

However, there is a cultural difference in Japan.
The overcrowding is accepted as a way of life in Tokyo.
During rush hour, you are packed into the train but everyone understands the situation.
Everyone knows the need for each other to commute to work or to get to school on time.

If you are in a rush hour train, you expect to be squashed cheek by jowl.
You will be shoved from all sides till everyone settles into their own comfort zone.
You know there is no room for any movement except to stand constricted till you get to your destination.

However, Japanese etiquette makes the journey tolerable.
The Japanese typically avoid any action that will make others uncomfortable.
Nobody uses a mobile phone on the train.
Nobody takes out their ipad or newspaper to read.
Nobody chats in the train.
The Japanese are fastidious about cleanliness, so there is absolutely no odor of any sort.
And if you are carrying a briefcase or backpack, you stow it in the overhead rack to make room for others to stand more comfortably.
And, they stand in orderly lines waiting to board the train.

What happens when you reach your destination and you are in the middle of the car?
No worries, just one word 'sumimasen',  and everyone near the door will get out to let you through, automatically!

Whenever, I take my friends on a tour of Tokyo, I make sure that they get this unique experience of taking a morning commuter train. They have all survived and I have yet to loose a friend on the train system. In fact, they are happy to come away with this unique experience.
I only tell them, if you are near the door,  get off!   let people out or you'll be stampeded!

The level of tolerance is vastly different from Singapore.

Although, our MRT system has been running more than 20 years, education on train etiquette was never ever emphasized. Bad habits have taken root and is now very hard to eradicate, so there is no comparison at all.

Grab poles & handles are available even near the door areas.
During rush hour, some seats are folded up to make more space for standing.
Bulky bags are stowed on the overhead racks.

Related links:

Surviving the train crush

Traveller's nightmare - lost luggage!

When you travel often, inevitably someone will ask if you had some strange or funny incidents on your travels, usually about lost luggage, turbulence, etc. Well, there is actually one very hilarious incident about a lost luggage. The funny part is that I had not even left the country nor even arrived at the airport and had my luggage lost!

Back in 2002, the MRT had just started a new direct train service from Boon Lay to Changi Airport. Was going to Tokyo and thought why not try out the service. Lugged my luggage to the station and had to transfer at Jurong East for the eastbound train to Changi.

At Jurong East station, by coincidence, a Chinaman (Chinese expatriate working in Singapore) with his wife and child, were beside me on the same platform also heading for Changi Airport with their luggage in tow. We all entered the same cabin but sat opposite each other.

At the time when this new train service started, the train had specially installed racks for bags and luggage near the doors. I placed my Samsonite on the rack and the Chinaman placed his 2 bags beside it.

Further along at Tiong Bahru Station, the Chinaman's wife and child got off the train. When it departed, the Chinaman suddenly realised that his wife was still holding on to his train ticket.
In a panic, he started asking around if anyone had a mobile phone he could use, to call his wife. The only one who had, said that unfortunately he had to get off at the next station which was fast approaching. So the Chinaman said that he would get off with the kind young man to use his mobile phone.

When the train stopped next at Outram Station, the Chinaman grabbed his 2 bags from the rack and got off the train. I know you're thinking.... he took my bag, but no, hee hee. ....wait for it...

There was a young lady with her boyfriend seated next to me. And just at the moment that the train sounded "Doors are closing", I heard her say to her beau " Hey!, he left his bag behind!!"
In a flash, she got up, rushed across aisle, grabbed MY bag and tossed it out the door just a fraction before the doors slammed shut!

"That's mine!", I screamed. We both looked at each other, the girl red with embarrassment and I red and flustered. And we could both see the Chinaman outside waving his hands frantically saying "It's not mine! it's not mine" as the train pull away from the station.

Of course, I had to stop at the next station and rode another train back to Outram to pick up my luggage , which luckily the Chinaman had presence of mind to hold for me till I arrived.

That was the only other time I had lost my luggage on my travels.
The next time, I'll tell you about this same Samsonite luggage who decided to go to Hawaii for vacation while I was heading for home from LA