Women help schoolchildren cross the road, Japan

Feb. 25 Traffic Aunties aid children at busy city crossings - A new occupation for Japanese widows and housewives has been created in all the cities and towns throughout Japan as guards for children who have to cross busy streets on their way to and from school. The women armed with a flag and whistle, have the authority to bring traffic to a halt just like a policeman, to allow the children to pass safely, and are known affectionately as Aunties by the children and parents of the youngsters. They receive training in traffic regulations before they are allowed to take the jobs, which pay a weekly salary from the ward office of the district they do duty for, and paid out of local taxation. In Japan all Junior grade schoolchildren must wear yellow coloured hats, so that they can be spotted by motorists and the aunties'. Photo: A traffic aunty on duty at a street intersection In Tokyo as children hurry to school. The women are selected from those living in the district who are widows, or housewives who can take the duty

Restrictions Only for United Kingdom

Affectionately Allow Allowed Aunty Bring Crossings Grade Halt Housewives Hurry Intersection Junior Motorists Paid Receive Regulations Safely Salary Schoolchildren Selected Taxation Throughout Weekly Whistle Widows

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