A trend in Japan to have two lanes on escalators - one for standing and one for walking - seems to have trouble taking root. Despite ongoing efforts from several cities and railway companies to standardize this practice for efficiency and safety, the new norm is not fully accepted nationwide. The issue raises questions about the balance between individual hurriedness and collective harmony.

In Japan, habits in public spaces reflect a deep respect for societal order and harmony. The two-lane escalator etiquette is seen as a measure promoting efficiency and considerate behavior. However, the inability to fully adopt it highlights the tensions around this change, showing difficulties in shifting established behaviors, particularly in suburban regions resisting urban norms.

In contrast, escalator etiquette in the US is less standardized, varying from city to city, depending on the hustle and bustle of life. In EU, particularly in busy cities like London, the "stand on the right, walk on the left" rule mirrors Japan's approach but is more firmly ingrained.