(United Press International circulated the following story on April 4.)
TOKYO, Japan — Starting Monday, women commuting into Tokyo by train during the morning rush hour have the option of choosing a car restricted to female passengers.
The East Japan Railway Co. introduced the option Monday on its Saikyo line connecting Tokyo and Saitama prefecture, the Mainichi Shimbun reported. Until now, only one car on each train on the line had been designated for women only, and this was available only late at night.
Now the first car on every one of 35 Tokyo area-bound trains operating during the morning rush hour has been set aside exclusively for women.
Only a few women were standing on the car designated specially for them as it arrived at Ikebukuro Station at 7:30 a.m. Monday, while other cars were packed.
Passengers have generally welcomed the idea, though some have pointed out the need to alleviate congestion on other cars.
The JR Saikyo Line is infamous for having the largest number of molestation cases on a single train line. Last year, 217 cases of men molesting women were reported on the line.