Women riding trains also have a special concern; gropers known as "Chikans" are famous for fondling women on trains so crowded it's often impossible to determine with certainty who the offender is. Though Japanese women have recently become more aggressive confronting these molesters, the incidence of assaults has been steadily rising each year to such an extent that one of the main train lines in Tokyo has now incorporated a "women only" car to accommodate those wishing to ride without fear of being accosted.

Despite the crowded conditions and negative aspects of riding trains in Japan as previously mentioned, the Japanese rail system still maintains a reputation as one of the most efficient in the world. Punctuality is almost guaranteed, and frequency of departures and arrivals is truly impressive, with a waiting time of only a few minutes between trains, and a maximum of only ten minutes on smaller lines servicing outlining areas. Japanese trains are also among the cleanest and safest in the world, and accidents or breakdowns are almost non existent.

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