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Rail staff face 'smile police' Rail staff face 'smile police'
(about 3 hours later)
A Japanese rail firm has introduced a system to check that staff are smiling enough at all times.A Japanese rail firm has introduced a system to check that staff are smiling enough at all times.
Computerised scanners around 15 Tokyo stations will measure the smile's curvature to ensure it is broad enough.Computerised scanners around 15 Tokyo stations will measure the smile's curvature to ensure it is broad enough.
Those failing to measure up - literally - will be advised to look less serious and more cheerful.Those failing to measure up - literally - will be advised to look less serious and more cheerful.
The system will also be introduced at a hospital in Osaka to check staff friendliness and at a truck stop to measure the tiredness of drivers.The system will also be introduced at a hospital in Osaka to check staff friendliness and at a truck stop to measure the tiredness of drivers.
The BBC's Roland Buerk, in Tokyo, says that the Japanese highly value customer service.The BBC's Roland Buerk, in Tokyo, says that the Japanese highly value customer service.
HAVE YOUR SAYIt's nice when someone smiles, but it's more important to give good serviceSue, Birmingham Send us your comments
It is standard practice, our correspondent explains, for smartly-dressed train conductors to bow as customers enter and leave train carriages.It is standard practice, our correspondent explains, for smartly-dressed train conductors to bow as customers enter and leave train carriages.
The software has been developed by Japanese firm Omron.The software has been developed by Japanese firm Omron.
They suggests that future applications may include shops - where they could be positioned to measure the reaction of customers to products on display.They suggests that future applications may include shops - where they could be positioned to measure the reaction of customers to products on display.