I’m six foot four, something that I’m acutely aware of in two situations: first, whenever I’m on an economy airline flight, and second, whenever I’m on a subway train in Asia.

 

Those useful straps from the ceiling - normally out of my way in the US and Europe, are all fighting to slap me in the face in subway trains in places like Japan, where the average height is 5’7” (171 cm) or Malaysia, where the average is 5’4” (164 cm). Those hand straps get a lot of use - just not by me.

 

Where I see discomfort, others see opportunity - and so it is that a new Japanese organisation called Wakino Ad Company has spotted that commuters holding on to hand straps is an...advertising opportunity.

 

Yes, the good folks at Wakino are hiring Japanese mo ...