03 Why do Japanese train stations do that?

<h2 style="text-align: center;"><strong>Today's Question<br /></strong></h2> <p>On this episode of <em>Ichimon Japan</em> we ask: Why do Japanese train stations do that?</p> <h2 style="text-align: center;"><strong>Topics Discussed<br /></strong></h2> <ul> <li>The train system in rural areas versus urban areas in Japan</li> <li>Trains in Kagoshima and Ishikawa</li> <li>What a <em>Wanmanressha</em> (one man trains) is</li> <li>Unmanned rural train stations</li> <li>Why Japanese train stations use cute songs to indicate a train is about to depart</li> <li><em>Hasshamero</em> (train departure melodies)</li> <li>The use of Nogizaka46's song "Kimi no Na wa Kibō" as a train departure melody</li> <li>The logic behind train departure melodies</li> <li>A brief history of train departure melodies in Japan</li> <li>How the song "Yappa Sukiyanen" by Uashiki Takajin was adapted into a train departure melody after his death in 2014</li> <li>How Osaka locals prefer to use "Umeda" when referring the the area in and around JR Osaka Station</li> <li>Why there are lines and numbers on the train platforms</li> <li>How to line up when waiting for a train</li> <li>Women only train cars</li> <li>The use of high-pitched noises (17 khz) to disperse people loitering at train stations in Japan</li> <li>Standing versus walking on escalators</li> <li>How Japanese railway companies are trying to get people to only walk on escalators</li> <li>Japanese people's reluctance to stop walking on escalators</li> <li>Why standing on escalators can be faster than walking</li> <li>Why Japanese train stations use blue LED lights on platforms</li> <li>The claim that blue LED lights are extremely effective at preventing suicide</li> <li>The role of <em>seken no me</em> (世間の目, the public gaze/the eye of society) on Japanese trains and at Japanese train stations</li> <li>Train etiquette</li> <li>The claim that cell phones interfere with pacemakers</li> <li>Putting on makeup on Japanese trains</li> <li>And more!</li> </ul> <h2 style="text-align: center;"><stro