When a train is about to depart a station, passengers hear an announcement saying, "Please stand clear of the closing doors."

Now, when they ride an escalator at Tokyo Station, they will get a constant reminder from East Japan Railway Co. to "Please stand on both sides of the escalator."

In an initiative launched at Tokyo Station on Monday, JR East is encouraging users not to leave space on one side for hurried passengers to walk up or down the escalator, but instead to stand on both sides. The campaign, which will run until Feb. 1, is aimed at preventing falls, as well as showing consideration for the elderly and passengers with disabilities, said Kuniyuki Takai, a JR East spokesperson.