- On every platform and every train in Tokyo,
employees in white gloves are always pointing at things.
These almost ritualistic gestures might look a bit silly
but they're crucial to keeping
Japan's massive train network running smoothly
and they might even save lives.
Tokyo operates one of the most advanced train networks
in the world, carrying upward
of 13 billion passenger trips each year.
And with hundreds of trains entering and leaving stations
each day, station attendants need to be vigilant.
To ensure smooth, safe rail operations, they use a technique
called Shisa Kanko, also known as Pointing and Calling.
Attendants point at anything that could be a hazard,
from making sure the track is clear of debris
before trains arrive
to confirming timetables and making sure gauges
and instruments are in order.
But does all this extra gesturing actually do anything?
How does it work?
Studies have shown that pointing to an object
and verbalizing your intended action
increases attention and awareness,
making it harder to mess up.
A landmark study by the Japan Railway Technical
Research Institute found that employing the combination
of pointing and calling reduced errors by 85%.
Daito Suzuki and Yohei Sato are experts
in pointing and calling, and they should be,
their company makes safety simulators,
some of which are designed specifically
for practicing the technique.
- The ratio of mistake without confirmation method
is 2.5% but applying point and calling procedure,
it can reduce 0.4%.
- With 140 buttons laid out on a grid,
workers follow the on-screen coordinates
and push the correct button.
Get it right and get a chime.
Get it wrong or take too long and (buzz).
Suzuki and Sato say these machines are necessary
because a lot of people in Japan, well,
don't see the point in pointing and calling.
Sato says there are three main reasons
people don't like Shisa Kanko.
(speaking Japanese)
And of course, people just feel like it's extra work.
(speaking Japanese)
Pointing and calling isn't only used in Tokyo
and it's not just used on trains.
Amidst the constant frenzy of activity
at Ishigaki Airport in Okinawa,
workers of all stripes can be observed using Shisa Kanko.
We even caught Mr. Sato and Suzuki dutifully confirming
traffic was clear with a quick point.
The practice really doesn't need to be limited
to white-gloved professionals.
We've all been there.
Where are my keys?
Did I remember to lock my car?
So, the next time you leave the house,
take a cue from Japan's massive rail network
and give pointing and calling a try.