"Escalator Walking Ban" Enforced in Nagoya, Second City in Japan to Implement Ordinance

Ordinance Prohibiting Walking on Escalators
No Penalties for Violations...But Calls for Awareness Change

The city of Nagoya in Japan has announced an ordinance prohibiting walking on escalators. This is the second case in Japan following Saitama Prefecture. The city authorities stated that the measure aims to bring about a change in awareness due to periodic escalator safety accidents, and it is expected that the controversy over single-file walking on escalators will continue both inside and outside Japan.

Passengers are using the escalator in Nagoya, where walking on escalators has been prohibited. (Photo by ANN)

On the 4th, Asahi Shimbun reported that Nagoya City has enforced an ordinance from the 1st of this month requiring users to stop and stand still when riding escalators. Although there are no separate penalties for violations, the city authorities said the measure is intended to encourage users to change their awareness for safety.

The ordinance requires escalator users to stop and stand still without walking on either the left or right side, and demands that stations where escalators are installed notify users of this rule. This fundamentally bans the previously controversial practice of single-file walking on escalators.

According to the ordinance, at the handrails of escalators at the bustling Sakae Station, signs saying "Do not walk" have been posted, and station staff have begun urging passengers to "ride in two lines but do not walk, stand still while using."

According to Asahi Shimbun, as of last year, about 20% of users at 10 large commercial facilities and stations were found to be walking or running on escalators.

Nagoya City stated, "There have long been concerns from people with disabilities and the elderly about the danger posed by people walking or running on escalators," and added, "The ordinance was established based on events such as the 2026 Asian Games, when domestic and international tourists are expected to increase."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.