Hamburger-eaters began receiving reminders on how to be more polite train riders Thursday as the Japan Non-Government Railways Association took its ongoing campaign to improve commuters' etiquette to McDonald's restaurants.
The association stepped up its manner-improvement crusade by placing advertisements at the fast-food chain's outlets in major cities nationwide.
Through ads printed on papers used to line meal trays, the association is calling on the public to mind their manners when taking the train.
The Tokyo-based association, whose members include representatives from major private railway companies, chose the fast-food chain to deliver its message to younger passengers, according to the association.
The ads feature cartoons that urge passengers not to run onto trains just before the doors close, to refrain from using cellular phones and to remove backpacks when on crowded trains.
The campaign will continue for about a week in the Tokyo metropolitan area and other cities, including Nagoya, Osaka and Fukuoka. About 3.95 million copies of the ads will be distributed during this period.
About 70 percent of McDonald's customers are in their 20s or younger, the association said.
The McDonald's campaign will compliment the association's poster campaign targeting poor passenger etiquette.
Association spokesmen say they hope that "the McDonald's drive will further improve passengers' manners."
A McDonald's Co. Japan spokesman said, "We welcome advertisements for the good of society."