What’s the Point of Pointing in Japan, Anyway? | Atlas Obscura

On every platform and every train in Tokyo, employees are always pointing at things. These ritualistic gestures-known as shisa kanko, or “pointing and calling”-are crucial to keeping Japan’s train system running smoothly, and they might even save lives. But how does it actually work?
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[@anonb4632]

Laugh if you want, but their transport is among the best in the world.

[@strumptavianroboclick5596]

Ya and nobody owns a car.. its a result of size.. the population density demands a top notch system.. I point and call all day, my kids just ignore it.. and my parental system is amongst the best

[@jun_suzuki42]

As a passenger I trust my lives on them.

[@rohittkrr]

No one is laughing

[@JerryChanD]

@@jun_suzuki42 As a foreign traveller, I trust your public transport :)

[@Tokax]

I always thought the pointing was really cool since a kid

[@AnnKilzer]

As a Tokyo resident, it brightens my day to watch the conductors and platform attendants diligently point and check things. Thanks for making this awesome video.

[@atlasobscura]

You're welcome, Ann!

[@enigmadrath1780]

0:10 "It might look a bit silly" I actually thought it looked pretty sick. Very professional and smooth. I'm just a sucker for flawless gesturing

[@luismvilla1]

I work for the railroad I'm the states, I started doing this before departure and it has helped drastically to get details. I've become more punctual with my departure times, passengers have also taken notice when I do this

[@kornkernel2232]

That's awesome to know that it really does works! Maybe give a shot to the management to give a shot if that can be implemented to the system as a whole. They should at least appreciate your idea.

[@GoldKeralis]

@@kornkernel2232 agreed, I feel like it should be a thing the whole world should be doing as it seems to make things like transport a lot safer and efficient

[@flashflair]

I was really struggling mentally to remember if I locked the house door seconds after locking it. It was a panic inducing process that would make me stop my car and get out and walk back to the house to check again. With the pandemic isolation side effects my brain kept jumping around so much that I couldn't focus on the simple trivial task of remembering the action of locking the door seconds after locking it. Until I remembered my visit to Japan and how they were pointing on the train platforms. I decided to give it a try. It was like sunshine coming out through the clouds. I could peacefully go to my car and actually remember the action of pointing to the door and saying "locked". It's honestly a mental saving process. I love it.

[@mudso]

Have you consider recording the action while you are locking your door, also mentioning the date and time? That way you can really assure that in your mind, WITH an actual video reference in your phone, too.

[@mercadocatherine_stem9a919]

​@@mudsothat's a lot of work

[@SLCtica]

I swear the Japanese are at least 20 years ahead of everyone in so many different areas. We should stop being so proud and learn from the good things other countries like Japan do. But I’m biased because I Love Japan ❤️

[@whatsitsgalore]

I am totally going to try that to help me remember stuff. But I'm going to use the Japanese name Shisa Kanko, because it's cool.

[@atlasobscura]

Strong +1 to this idea.

[@treelover4978]

I just read the book atomic habit. This Pointing-and-Calling mentions in this book and i know about its now such a great 👍

[@GavinVeasey]

I’m a rural mail carrier and I’ve started doing this at all my boxes and stops. It really helps me ensure I didn’t miss anything before I depart to the next box.

[@myhumbleperspective8345]

I am here because I read it from the Book, "Atomic Habits". The author was James Clear.☺️

[@Chew1964]

The US submarine service uses it. We call it “point, read, operate”.

[@AveryMilieu]

Been doing that for years to maintain focus. I am easily distracted, chronic short term memory issues, and when I'm looking for something I put down or running through a daily routine, I tend to point at the thing I need to be focused on (my phone on the counter, locking the door, adding detergent to the laundry...) and say what it is I intend to do. There are So Many distractions that this really does help beat the "oh Look! A squirrel!" tendency I've had most of my life. I am reassured that this in not some personal quirk on the road to senility.

[@atlasobscura]

Definitely not a bad quirk! It is extremely helpful to ground yourself in something with as simple a gesture as pointing. :)

[@AveryMilieu]

@@atlasobscura I point at the door I intend to use when I am leaving. I point at my shoes before I put them on, point at my purse to remember to take it. Some folks have a better time learning and remembering when it is associated with a physical thing.

[@Mentocthemindtaker]

Should be part of standard teaching practice for children with ADHD to learn.

[@valdasguzys8727]

You're not the only one. For many years been touching my pockets before leaving the house and talking to myself: "Keys", "Phone", "Wallet". Before locking the car or the locking house door. Turning of the stove or oven.

[@ajmalrasak4641]

I'm from Atomic Habits.

[@testtestmann3155]

May I ask you what it is?

[@madhu_bhisetti]

Hey hey am also here after atomic habits

[@madhu_bhisetti]

@@testtestmann3155 actually its a book

[@testtestmann3155]

@@madhu_bhisetti , thank you. I've got it.

[@peasantfaye5403]

Same here!

[@thowell3031]

I actually do this every time I hitch up my travel trailer. I check each connection point (hitch, pins, chains) and I think it helps.

[@Mentocthemindtaker]

Studies show it reduces errors by up to 85%!

[@busara221]

Atomic habits brought me here x)

[@rixxroxxk1620]

Along with a safety first attitude, I feel it shows a level of professionalism and pride in their job. The Japanese seem to have mastered this attitude that other countries should take notice of. Well done video!

[@lastmilejapan5463]

This practice has been widely adopted by the transportation industry in Japan. If you're in Japan, take a close look at truck or taxi drivers right as they make their turns or back up. It's to ensure that pedestrians or objects are not in the way. That split-second check really helps prevent accidents. It also helps others confirm that they are actually adhering to safety procedures. In case of an accident, the driver recorder will clearly show that an effort was made for safety purposes. Even within the warehouse, floor staff members point as they work to ensure that all the boxes within their mental checklist is checked off.

[@Tokax]

I loved Japanese trains since a kid it would be a dream to drive one especially a N700S!

[@teslafreak]

It seems so simple, but is really quite brilliant when you think about it.

[@AmanGaming521]

The fact that this system reduced errors up to 85 percent and cutted the accidents by 30 percent is insane

[@IamWhoIam2023]

You should visit the US to see the rats in train stations practicing pointing and calling

[@SnownelVEVO]

Rats don't take the trains anymore here, it's faster to just walk.

[@lyucky1]

I didn't know this was a "real thing"! I do this before I leave the house for a night out. I point at the outlet where my curling iron or straightener was plugged in and SAY "unplugged" - prevents that "oh shit" moment later in the night when you're wondering... "did I?"...

[@garimasharma7471]

Came to know about this from Atomic Habits.This method is great👍

[@youcanpunchmeintheface]

Been doing this in daily life and I assure you it's really helpful for not forgetting things easily

[@bembs0256]

Indonesian Railways (KAI) has adopted pointing-and-calling since 2015 during the railway reform, and the results are incredible. Trains have become more punctual than before, work safety improved, and the number of incidents has decreased sharply. I’ve personally started to implement this technique in my daily life. For example, when I’m about to leave my house, I will call “Lamps off OK, stove off OK, doors locked OK,” etc.

[@Bothomas-vm5hz]

I saw one conductor doing this on the mta nycta in brooklyn once years back while opening and closing the doors I taught it was very unique and others looked on with a strange face

[@jespinosa176]

James Clear "Atomic Habits" told me so. This is a nice strategy :)

[@TheHeavyshadow]

0:10 I'm a huge fan of the adage "If it looks silly, but works, it isn't silly."

[@RFD7BL]

Fun fact : Indonesia also adopted the pointing and calling, they call it "tunjuk sebut" in Indonesia.and the ones who mostly use this are the train conducter, PPKA (railroad attendant), and the train driver. Sorry for my semi bad english

[@petermobius]

Fascinating!

[@modtomodern]

I also lived in Japan and always watched the workers do this. The Japanese have fascinating hands, most very elegant, as best observed when they dance at O-Bon and at festivals or make your sushi. So watching them at work just filled me with wonder. I had fallen in love with Japanese boyfriend's because of their hands. I have fat farmers hands with stubby fingers and was always jealous of the thin fine fingers of my Japanese friends. Thanks for posting.

[@SocialistDistancing]

I've adopted pointing and calling after a first saw it in a documentary about trains. It works, and I've been educating others about it.

[@NE-cf5tf]

Hi, could I use this video for staff training courses? Do I need permission?

[@TuNguyen-my2xd]

This method is very much useful.

[@BelloBudo007]

When I first visited Japan and saw the 'white gloves and pointing' thing, I did wonder what they were doing. I suspected it had something to do with Safety and Thoroughness, but was only guessing. This video made it very clear. And Yes I'm pointing at you Japan. 😊👈

[@spinakker14]

I use it when playing board games or magic the gathering. It's great for me and for my game partners to keep track whose turn it is, what's happening, what actions are triggered

[@atlasobscura]

Oh! That's a great tip!!

[@Storytimewithgitte]

no wonder they're the best. They are so organised! 🚂🤚🏼👆🏼👏🏼

[@nmplab]

After forgetting to lock my cabinet once on break at the dorm, I started to do this every time I go home from college for break haha. (no, nothing was stolen or touched, thankfully)

[@ryan124007]

I've also been doing it to check things before I leave somewhere.

[@rajatmarwaha]

Hi This video is really amazing. Would like to seek your permission to share this with my colleagues for training purpose only.

[@RealNameNeverUsed]

2:48 my noob ass will point at the traffic and yell “Clear!” even when it’s not.😂

[@devonhughes3805]

Being prideful and diligent in whatever YOU do contributes to others doing the same. Members of Japanese society all keep eachother on-point and on-task and it makes life so much more orderly, clean, and dependable over there. I miss the 4 years I spent.

[@Sidewinder627]

I LOVE IT

[@vanaals]

It's how I remember learning to read. When my parents would read to me, they would point at the words they were saying.

[@ablresearchThailand]

I saw Shisha ganko in Japan Airport, On the bus from arrived plane to terminal building. If you sit near a bus driver, you might see it. So cool.

[@Kodasodanoda]

Very random but watching this reminded me of some of my favorite characters ever Emmet and Ingo who are conductors at s subway in Pokémon Black and white and they're art work always depicts them pointing and being loud

[@nihnewsinfo8755]

This represents dicipline and concentration during work

[@tuminol7426]

Quiet interesting 😮

[@bridgetdavis9752]

Fascinating; I have never heard of this before!

[@atlasobscura]

Well, there's your TIL for today! :)

[@Jakal1391]

I've never been to Japan, but I've noticed this technique is used by referees in Asian regional Mixed Martial Arts! If a fighter is hurt or a specific rule needs to be enforced, the referee will point and make a call.

[@astha5229]

I came here to watch this after reading about it in James Clear's book, Atomic Habits.

[@pattylasko7567]

I would like to see Mr. Radio's life-sized horse with all its parts!

[@arthurcab]

Subway operators in NYC also do this.

[@lemon2524]

Nice.

[@kwanarchive]

The only time you don't want to do this is putting your PIN into the ATM.

[@tomasbeltran04050]

Nice

[@fleischzerfetzer676]

Reminds me a little bit on hand signals at aircraft carrier's. 😅

[@VulcanOnWheels]

I don't know if this is true for other countries, but in The Netherlands, (house) doors automatically lock when they're closed.

[@GabbiBelleS]

Catch me out here pointing & calling out things while driving. I keep going into autopilot when I drive and I make mistakes when I do that. So I think this method will help me remain focused when driving

[@familyTV334]

Atomic Habits by James Clear brought me here

[@RahnyT]

Same here lmao

[@RahnyT]

Amazing book so far

[@sheenapelle]

Came here bc of Atomic Habits!

[@Negentropy.]

The Cincinnati Street Car needs some Shisa Kanko

[@DannyoRaiden]

Best country once again✌️💚😊

[@Andiakhyar95]

In indonesia, machinist using point and calling system, small thing but make good system

[@vishalrajmehta4911]

Important train patri sefty ❤️☀️👍

[@roypabling2781]

atomic habits brought me here

[@tempma1658]

🧠 > 👀 > 👉‍‍ > 🗣️ > 🆗 > 👂‍‍ > 👌‍‍, 👍‍‍ > ✅

[@mylifeisJDM]

I'm not 100 percent how it works but I do enjoy pointing and scanning before crossing roads. Makes me feel like a crossing guard.

[@rubenfdez.-ramos550]

It seems a good technique to prevent errors but I believe that is difficult to implement in others cultures like Spanish. On the other hand, I think "Pointing and Calling" could be a possible solution to reduce the effects of automation in train drivers who use a driving mode GoA2 or superior.

[@mgancarzjr]

Pilots do it during their checks. It crosses all language and cultural borders.

[@YoFreshWiggy]

I always thought more people should learn ASL (American Sing Language). If you can’t hear someone from noise, you can at least see what they’re saying. We could communicate better in traffic, help keep tempers down. Or military use; still want to communicate during radio silence, all you need is line of sight.

[@Mentocthemindtaker]

I wholeheartedly agree with this! But for me, being Australian, it would be AUSLAN. I honestly believe it should be compulsory for all teachers to learn and an abbreviated version (key word sign) should be a normal part of instructional technique in classrooms, paired with verbal instructions.

[@YoFreshWiggy]

Australia has it’s own sing language?!? How is it different from ASL? I’m assuming that we use ASL here in Canada, no need to make it more difficult to understand Americans.

[@Mentocthemindtaker]

@@YoFreshWiggy AUSLAN is _completely_ different from ASL - it's literally a different language. AUSLAN is closer to British Sign Language (BSL) than ASL. But all of these - ASL, BSL and AUSLAN have regional dialects and some signs change depending on which part of the country you're in.

[@YoFreshWiggy]

Mentocthemindtaker Wow! I’m learning lots today! Thank you! Are the different sing languages relatively understandable to each other or is the syntax completely different? Would someone speaking in AUSLAN understand someone speaking in BSL?

[@Mentocthemindtaker]

@@YoFreshWiggy Good question, and I honestly don't know. There are similarities in many of the signs, but other than that I'm not sure, sorry!

[@fault3k]

love japanese people

[@malazforever8222]

Who's reading Atomic Habit?🌚

[@fadelhutama8330]

Is Kiken Yochi the same thing?

[@bl00dhoney]

Daito is a cutie 😍

[@bl00dhoney]

☝️Daito is a cutie 😍 (I forgot to point)

[@sharescene-stories9332]

Yeah agree.. (pointed "yosh!")​ㅋㅋㅋ

[@obkb1150]

Meitetsu operates in the Nagoya area, not Tokyo, but otherwise a good video.

[@tango22ah]

As you begin to get older this is a great practice to adopt in your life e.g I have turned off the cooker! I have locked the front door and most importantly I have flushed the toilet

[@snooopert1048]

Sounds like a great mindfulness activity

[@rudehr]

Did it last night under the duvet - my girl was not amused😮

[@graceforlily272]

Atomic Habits brought me here

[@MrBogardus]

I'll do this at my job looks like I'm talking to myself... which I am

[@cherriemay528]

I've seen it not just at the train station even the airport staff and drivers and construction sites do it when i first came to Japan ahahaha japan is definitely interesting😅

[@ImSamudrzLikesFutbolFootball]

Indonesia train drivers/members does point too if they have permission to go

[@arif.setia_ch]

Same as Indonesian railway

[@bogsmyt]

Who is here because of the book titled Atomic habit? 😂

[@ddobry21]

So, let me get this straight, they point to.....make a point?

[@atlasobscura]

;)

[@triis8643]

yes, that's the point

[@ddobry21]

@@triis8643 Ok you guys seem to be on point about this. Point taken.

[@swedishpsychopath8795]

Do you have to do pointing and calling if you go on a date with a japanese woman? Also if you get lucky?

[@Vv-gk4cu]

Remember to inhale. Remember to exhale.

[@AlphaGeekgirl]

Interesting… But I still didn’t understand what it’s about.

[@petermobius]

mental and physical reinforcement and feedback loops.

[@user-oq5yr1kp1d]

Debi Taylor I’m Japanese and I think this video should translate the exact words there saying and what are they pointing at . For example: the train driver They are doing things like this (Departure ) Point @ the time table paper and read and call: 1)”Train no123 departures b-station @ 12:30” 2)point the clock on the train and Read and call. “12:30 correct! “ 3)point the signal ahead check the light “Green , checked” 4) point the warning lamp on the panel about a doors shut “ no warning , all doors are shut 5)point the rail check no person or cars crossing “ no objects in front checked” 6) here we go. ! Accelerate You train this over and over until You can do it without thinking. If something wrong it’ll be like “ door warning lamp is.......wtf ..on? He’ll grab the phone and talk to the co-driver at the rear end. “ hey some doors might be open, Could you get off the train and check With your eyes?” “ the door in the middle had stacked someone’s bag. I removed it problem solved “ “ roger that.” Back to 1) and start all over again lol

[@wigwagstudios2474]

Eh's Hands

[@stickynote2603]

Bring here because of atomic habits

[@stevenvictoria9568]

My finger points

[@raedsmile]

Who’s here from Atomic Habit?

[@AsheOdinson]

Interesting, but this didn't feel like the thoughtful, wonder provoking style we've come to love about Atlas Obscura. This just felt like a very short educational video. Where are the videos like Giant Rock, or the megaphones in the forest, or the abandoned bunker, or the would be submarine? So much awe, wonder, and reverence in those ones.

[@atlasobscura]

Interesting point, Ashe, and we're glad that you enjoyed those videos so much! (How cool were the megaphones, right?) We believe that wonder can be found in a myriad of things. We obviously believe that there are great unknown places, like the hidden megaphones, or the abandoned Coney Island Creek submarine, but wonder can also be equally found in sometimes the smallest of things-like pointing! Curiosity will lead us everywhere, and we're always eager to see what else we dig up in the course of us asking questions. :)

[@AsheOdinson]

@@atlasobscura My intent was to point out the style, not the subject matter. This felt dry and analytical, with a faster pace in speech than the examples I gave, all combined to rob it of the sense of wonder in the narration. The idea of pointing and explaining making such a statistically proven difference is fascinating and says a lot about human psychology. It could open doors to more effective teaching in virtually any field. As much as technology is racing forward, this method could help us better keep pace in how we learn to use those technologies. It's the presentation that felt out of place, but that could very well be my opinion alone and it's nowhere near enough to cause me to ever disable instant alerts for your videos. 😊

[@devonhughes3805]

Now if only they can point and call to a higher birthrate before the whole thing collapses 😢

[@maryriley6163]

This seems like a good practice. When Trump lies there should be someone to point at him and say "LIAR!" If he was reminded every time then maybe he would eventually stop lying. Or is this just wishful thinking on my part?

[@verycursedplane6557]

Certainly Not most advanced network. Very primitive. Manual train operation for most lines. Platform screen doors recently only installed and needing conductors on trains. Needing to point at dangers? Still dangers on a platform? An advanced train network like Singapore has one person sitting in even the oldest generation trains and is there for redundancy. Singapore has fully automatic trains and only staff on platform during peak hours. Very little manual input. Japan certainly has primitive rail networks not advanced. Even New York subways are upgrading to CBTC. I’m not saying Japan has no automatic trains but the fact that they are switching to it in the 20th century? When automation was present in the 1960s. Some may say it’s hard retro fitting trains. New York and Londan have older train systems and run automatic with a driver present

[@verycursedplane6557]

@@C20F that’s literally upgrading a network to modern needs

[@verycursedplane6557]

@@C20F having such a manual system wastes man power and train operating frequency cannot go higher