Japan Press Weekly

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2013 September 18 - 24 [WELFARE]

Residents call for safety measures to be taken at railway crossing

Following a fatal accident at a 40 meter-long railroad crossing, residents of Yokohama City on September 20 called on the mayor to take urgent safety measures.

They are members of local chapters of the Association for a Peaceful, Democratic, and Progressive Japan (Kakushinkon).

On August 23, an 88-year-old man was hit by a train and died at the crossing. According to a member of the local Kakushinkon branch who witnessed the accident, he was walking with a cane.

The crossing has six railroad tracks. A pedestrian overpass located right next to the crossing is not equipped with elevators or escalators.

The letter they submitted to the city office demands that the city swiftly place a human detection sensor and city staff at the crossing as well as hold meetings to discuss safety measures with residents.

A city official who received the letter responded to the residents by saying that the local government is considering building a crossing bridge for pedestrians with elevators.