It sounds like the salvation army of Japanese version.

You shouldn’t say the Japanese are genius doing useless deeds with great enthusiasm. They believe they have great mission to save the good tradition of the politeness. You shouldn’t say the retired salary men, who got bored to stay in their homes, rushed to the train and meddle in the passengers as well.

Please do not have question why they picked up the problem though there are more important ones in the world. I can’t answer.

Seiichi Kato, Chiba, Japan

I was surprised to read about seats not being given up to those who needed them. I have been studying in Japan since September and observed many occasions where seats have been voluntarily vacated and offered to others. There are also 'priority seats' reserved for elderly, disabled and pregnant passengers and every train ride on many lines, we are reminded of the fact by way of announcement.

I suppose as well as being tired, there might also be a sense of embarrassment stemming from possible rejection since many a time I have witnessed someone giving up their seat, only to have the other person refuse to sit down.

As for kk's comment about office workers not needing seat after work, it is often the case that they stand. During the evening 'rush hour', the trains are so packed that one would be lucky to get a seat. Most have to stand (whilst sleeping!) on their hour or so commute home. I have observed that elderly passengers tend to steer clear of the rush hours anyway.

Annie, Kawasaki, Japan

If I give up my seat to a woman before being asked, I'm made to feel as if I have insulted her.

If I attempt to help a woman with a heavy suitcase before being asked, I'm made to feel as if I have harassed her.

These days, I stick to holding doors open for people, which sits comfortably with their own lack of manners in attempting to push through ahead of me anyway...

Ian Kemmish, Biggleswade, UK

It amuses me that people need to sit on the train after sitting 8-14 hours in the office. Give up your seat to people who've been on their feet all day - salesgirls, cleaners, construction workers, thank God there is redemption, they won't get fat from all that sitting down that the sedentaries do.

kk, London,

Can we import the squad to the U.S.? Please?

Only, since I don't ride the bus, I'd rather see them in U.S. airports, where seniors and women with children are often treated rudely.

Phillip, Indianapolis, USA

Oooh, this is sooo true. People on trains NEVER give up their seats. Once I saw a high school kid, slouched over 2 seats, and then this hunched over little old granny carrying a box that was way too big for her came on the train. By then, there were no more seats. Then this big guy grabbed the high schooler and told him to get up so the granny could sit down. Unfortunately, this started a fight in which the granny almost got knocked down as an innocent bystander.

For pregnant women here, they give you a little badge thingy to put on your bag so that everyone knows you are pregnant and that they should offer up a seat to you if needed.

But I must say, with the amount of people they pack on the trains, you kind of have to wonder. People are pooped after working the ridiculous 14 plus hours a day they do, and everyone wants a seat at the end of the day.

Emily, Tokyo, Japan