Why do Japanese train drivers point at everything? 

This is how we drive with my wife in Manhattan, she points at Gucci store and I point at no standing anytime sign.

in Romania the train drivers do this too, pointing at all the stolen infrastructure / signals lights and then cursing.

I thought this was going to be an explanation video

It is obviously to demonstrate they have seen the signals, warning signs and information indicators. It is a kind of mental feedback method. I once worked for a trucking company that insisted all trainee drivers had to spend a week driving with an instructor and speak everything they saw and what they planned to do about it. The company called it TBA (Thought-Body-Action) It is intended to give the instructor/tester information about how alert the trainees are and their thinking process. I thought it was utterly dumb as a trainee for the company. Later, as a driver it really surprised me how it changed my driving habits. As an instructor, later, I really understood the importance of thought-body-action training. But, unfortunately, most trainees don't really catch on to how it is affecting them mentally. The ones that do become excellent drivers. I suspect the Japanese were the inventors or at least the refiners of the TBA training process.

These people take so much pride in their work.

I operate diesel and electric commuter and freight trains for an American railroad. We don't call and point, but it certainly would help prevent mishaps if we did. The Japanese employees, in every craft, are absolutely astonishing to watch. Their professionalism and work ethic is peerless. Watching these people work is almost like watching art.

Play at 2x speed for added thrill.

I was kinda sad when he didnt pointed at the huge bridge :(

I trust these two with my life

They do it just in case they forget what direction they are going in

It's a safety protocol the Japanese introduced designed to reduce mishaps. They did a study and found that key situations indicated with physical association reduced the likelihood of negligence through fatigue.

This is Japan rest of the world will understand this after 50 years

It must work. The Japanese rail systems are the safest and most efficient in the world. You have to give a lot of respect to them for what they have created.

Theyre both making sure theyre headed the same direction

Cause they wanna make a point.

Guess we need to wait for season 2 to know the truth.

On Amtrak in the US, they also point. They point at the guys on the side of the tracks that are throwing bottles and bricks at them. LOOK OUT, DUCK!!!!!!!!!

Guy pointing out all his favorite dogging spots.

Outstanding culture. Well done Japan.

Engage! Engage! Engage! Engage!

Why do they point? It is called reinforcement. Signs, important values, settings etc, are identified and are acted upon. The effect is then acknowledged. This is one method of attempting to ensure everything is noticed and the appropriate responding action is taken. It would be interesting to see if their error rate is reduced as a result. I have the feeling it will be.

That bloke's white gloves wouldn't stay that colour for more than 10 seconds on our trains in the UK.

“Ooooh look that cloud looks like a puppy”

I love how much passion and emotion they put into their pointing. It isn't just quick, no effort pointing; they have to reel back the point and snap it towards its target every time. It's quite cute. ^.^

Just one quality has made this country one of the best in the world 🗺: DISCIPLINE.

excellent safety standards. great nations do every thing with great attention

everything is clean , inside or outside, trains arrive at seconds, stops at centimeters, uniforms impeccable, what an amazing country and amazing people

I train Japanese pilots. They are extremely disciplined, detail oriented and holistic as a team. Some of the best and safest pilots I’ve had the pleasure of training!

I thought it was wishful thinking /positive attitude to continue going straight and don't derail. 😕

The reason why they use so much signals and their voice is quite simple. The Japanese found out that the likelihood of people making a mistake decreases by up to 80 percent if you use your voice and (hand)gestures when performing a task or making a decision compared to only “thinking” it.

To stay focus on safety

These guys will never get lost with their amazing sense of direction. Always pointing you in the right way.

That's track That's more track And more track More track OH... never mind more track Track again And more track Guess what MORE TRACK

I love the white gloves culture in Japan

I’m a heavy goods tanker driver in the uk. When I got the job with a company that trains you properly, one of the procedures I was taught is called ‘point and tell.’ It’s a verbal recognition exercise to stop you simply opening valves on auto pilot or, without thinking. It makes sense what Japanese drivers do here, pretty much the same thing.

it's called "shisa kanko" - pointing and calling method that makes drivers focus more on what they're doing.

They are pointing at the rival train drivers ahead. "Im coming for your ass."

Japanese discipline honor and respect is the most amazing thing ever. I have high respect for their work ethic, culture and determination. Not only the love and passion they find within every profession they do.

This is comforting and reassuring to watch. It soothes my anxiety.

因みに運転士は新人で右の男性が指導員です

ENGAGE

Very professional, respect.

A video asking a question with a descriotion that answers it. Here is the true hero of the internet.

No wonder why are they the best, intense hard work and commitment

This follows similarities with air traffic and such that you must state what is happening and readbacks and all that. This should be an international standard.

It's a great idea for the driver to point at important signs. that way they can't ignore the signs and lie about it. I totally agree with the rules.

Here in Italy the drivers point too, but they point at the broken signals and the idiots crossing the tracks when the train is near!

The man on right puts such finesse into his gestures.

I thought the train went over a big hump at 1:52 lol :)

On some American freight railroads, the engineer (driver) is required to call out the aspect of the signals on the two-way radio. I believe this is a similar concept to make sure drivers acknowledge the signal.

It´s called Shisa Kanko - Pointing and Calling, and it drastically reduces accidents! Sometimes lower than one percent. This method is also used in military aviation, navy, and in industry and other dangerous professions.

I never realised how fun it is to watch someone point at things

wheres Wally ? there he is

There's a certain irony aspect in operating a train. The driver has to watch for hazards on the tracks ahead, but by the time he sees something, it's usually already too late to stop.

this video just left more questions than answers

I've been on these trains and they are awesome. Thank you Japan for a great trip.

My brother does that when he drives, he has Tourette’s

'Shisha kanko' ( calling and pointing ) is something i adopted when driving my minibus - it DEFINITELY keeps you focused on what you need to be focused on - your driving ! i use Japanese vocabulary for speed limits ( sekudo seigen ) and traffic light sign (shinko ) i don't care about looks i may get - the object is to keep people safe on the roads (and all other forms of transport too ! )

The view is so clean that it looked like a virtual training from the cabin.

Japan cares about their people. So much respect. This warms my heart.

🍎 🚅 Pointing on Amtrac would interfere with cell phone use 😱

I have been on many trains in Japan. So Safe, always on time, and always enjoyable. Arigatoo Gozaimasu. Brian New Zealand

They must have some badass photo memory and can point to those signs even when their eyes are closed.

It's much cleaner in the entire way than in my little room. Kudos to you.

Why not? Pointing’s fun.

NYC subway conductors are trained to do the same thing when they pull into stations. There's usually black and white candy cane striped signs that hang from the station ceiling, near the conductor window. They're trained to open the window, and point to the sign at every station before opening the train car doors. I was told they do it to show they're paying attention to the passengers getting on and off the train. I was also told they're filmed on CCTV by the MTA to make sure that every conductor does the "correct pointing" I guess lol. That might also explain why in this video they point at many more objects when they're on the busy part of track and less when they get away from it.

Once day while riding in the front car on the Odakyu the driver was pointing and also shouting out the signals as the train rolled down the track. It was a warm sunny day and I was very entertained.

Thank you for the explanación. I felt curiousity about that.

Its because they watched too much Star Trek TNG and now they keep saying Engage ! all the time

I have noticed this procedure followed by Japanese loco pilots of pointing at various indicators and signals. As a rail fan I think it absolutely brilliant absolutely safety oriented and absolutely professional. Hats off !!!!!

wonderful view out of the drivers cab

That lamp looked bloody nice in the driver's cabin.

When my girlfriend gets mad at me, I point at her... to show my awareness of her signs and warnings. It's a lot less safe than this, though.

-"it's this way..." -"no, this way..." -"no no no no no....this way..." -"sorry but no... It's this way"

I like the way they point. So elegant

There's so much charisma in their pointing

When I become a cta ( Chicago Transit Authority ) rail operator I'm going to use this practice unofficially.

nice video

Seriously, I could watch this all day....

A good safety feature- If train is crashed, they can check if the driver was totally aware of the situation and fix the problem

As a train operator were instructed to point at our version of traffic lights to keep us engaged and make sure that we are paying attention ahead of us. If a train was to pass a signal on a red then it could be potential for an accident as in a head on collision or misaligned track that would lead to a derailment. I do this all the time.

Guy on the left has better eyesight 😂

They both confirming safety and approach.

I clicked thinking I was going to get an answer to why they point lol. Instead I wait and realize halfway in that no answer is coming. At least it was in the description.

#1:"Did you see that bird?" #2:"You mean that bird right?"

Here in the UK drivers don't drive trains. they strike.

It's called "Pointing and Calling" (Shisa Kanko). It's for safety.

This is very smart. Im impressed!

Super video 👍🏻

I observed JP train workers doing this on videos about their train operations once and noticed it was like "counting noses" to be sure everyone was there. I have incorporated that into my life as well for example after working in my yard. I point to car--locked, water--off, tools--put away etc. It really does help me to not miss something and on the train each guy knows the other one is watching. Just a good old fashion double check on what you are doing. Try it...I think you will see that it helps.

Very careful, disciplined and responsible

One guy starts pointing & the other joins in to show he’s made of the right stuff

It brings good luck.

They just want to make sure what they do.

Pointing is the equivalent of the air pilots' Challenge-and-Check list.

I was wondering about this!

They are playing i-spy

Real reason: They are doing this to confirm everything is going right. Real reason behind the real reason: That's because you are filming them, and giving you an entertaining professional looking performance is part of their job

Always checking if you do it good

They're pointing straight ahead to constantly remind each other which way the train is heading.