Why are Japanese trains so quiet, and why don't people take phone calls?
On many Japanese trains, passengers speak quietly or remain silent. Almost no one makes phone calls inside the carriage. Stations and trains display and broadcast requests such as “Please set your mobile phone to silent mode.”
It is not a strict rule but a shared custom observed by many people. Public spaces are treated with consideration for others, and phone calls are generally seen as more disruptive than ordinary conversation.
Why — five layers
In Japan, consideration for others in public spaces is highly valued. Trains are customarily quiet, and calls tend to be avoided because people often speak more loudly on the phone.
The tendency to match the behavior of those around you also helps keep carriages quiet. When a carriage is already silent, most people naturally adapt to that atmosphere, so quiet is maintained without strict enforcement.
Railway companies repeatedly publicize onboard etiquette, for example by asking passengers to refrain from using mobile phones near priority seats. As a result, keeping quiet has become established as a natural expectation.
International view
In some countries, people who want quiet can choose a designated “quiet carriage.” In Japan, by contrast, the expectation of keeping quiet generally extends throughout the train, without passengers having to select a particular carriage.
But not always
Conversation is not prohibited. Friends do talk, and trains can become lively when people are returning from an evening of drinking. It is a widely shared custom, not a law.
What to do
Take care not to make loud noises inside the carriage. If you need to make a call, use the vestibule or platform. Quiet conversation with a companion is fine.
Sources
- Rail operator etiquette announcements (JR, Tokyo Metro)
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