East Japan Railway Co. will install blue LED lighting along Tokyo's Yamanote Line, in hope that the emotionally calming effect of blue light could make suicidal people think twice about jumping in front of trains, according to asahi.com. The lights will be installed at all 29 stations on the loop line by the end of October, a JR East official said.

According to JR East's Tokyo office, suicides at stations under its control have risen from 42 in fiscal 2006, to 58 in fiscal 2007 and 68 in fiscal 2008. In many cases, people have thrown themselves in front of trains arriving at platforms. The lights will be positioned on ceilings at ends of platforms.

Although expert opinions are divided on the psychological effect of blue lights, the system has been increasingly used by railway companies across the nation. Blue LED devices have been used at crossings on the Hanwa Line of West Japan Railway Co. since December 2006. Keihin Electric Express Railway Co. also installed the lights at the Gumyoji Station in Yokohama's Minami Ward in February 2008.

JR East installed blue LED devices in February above the platforms of Kita-Ageo, Okegawa and Kitamoto stations, all in Saitama Prefecture, on the JR Takasaki Line.

The LEDs have already been installed at seven stations on the Yamanote Line, including Shinbashi and Yurakucho. JR East plans to complete installation at other stations by the end of October.

The Yamanote line in Tokyo