Originally Posted by paperwastage

I also feel it's the gate design too .

Japan subways often have gates default open during peak (and only closing if you walk thru but card didn't detect). The Japanese gates are longer too with the gate flap at (both) ends (not one in middle), so it might seem more user friendly since you give the system 1-2 more physical steps to respond before you get to the end (even though I agree, Japan IC is very responsive