Q106 Previously, the trains were so crowded that you couldn't move or, if you could, you could just about read a magazine while standing up. Now, however, it's just about possible to read a newspaper while standing. That's quite some prog-ress, isn't it?
A106 Yes, it is. The government had a policy to reduce rush-hour overcrowding in and around Tokyo to 180%. This has been achieved,but the long-term target of 150% has not. The average of all lines in Tokyo is 171 o/o, although many lines in Tokyo still
have ratios of over 200%.
For example, the Tokaido Line, Chua Line rapid service, Keihin-Tohoku Line and Saikyo Line, all of which belong to the East Japan Railway Company (JR East), have ratios of over 200% and some as high as 225%. There are also some privately owned railway and subway lines with ratios ranging from 180% to 190%. Nevertheless, the murderous, bone-crushing rush hours of the 1970s, with their ratios of 250% to 300%, are past. The Ageo Incident in 1973 symbolizes the commuting hell of the day.
