Chikan is a cute word for “illegal obscene conducts” and apparently this is a big big issue on the tube in Tokio. I had never realised what a trouble this could be, but that’s why they had to introduce Women Only carriages during peak hours to prevent groping – you can read more here, at the bottom there are also intructions on what to do if you are misunderstood as a molester : )

But anyway. This made me think that tube manners are important here in the dirty London as well as in the super clean and tidy Japan. Tube posters in London are usually beautifully designed, but talking about manners, I find these behave yourself posters are absolutely dull. Well while reading about chikan, I bumped into these Tokyo Metro posters instead.

I think they are absolutely nice. I can’t help loving the iconic black & white & yellow design and the humorous approach. Not to mention the steady presence of the spectacles-wearing man. Totally funny. After all, Japanese people are masters of cute character design. Have a look at the Tokio Metro website for a few more.

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