Announcer:“…surrounding the Tokai district. All residents must evacuate to their designated…”
Gundampilotspaz: Trains are very common in Japan and widely used, but I don't think those are the only reasons to focus on them in such an early scene (unless having trains delayed is like the end of the world). Trains will play a larger role in future episodes.
UrsusArctos: Japanese cities are completely dependent on their incredibly punctual, high-frequency commuter rail networks and subways for their very survival - Japan's the only place in the world where you'd have sub-30-second windows for transferring from one train to another. Having trains at a standstill means that something is disastrously wrong. Their role in future episodes is no coincidence.
Kendrix: Note the numerous details on the Rails and the trains (After all, most Science Fiction is written by people who like looking at cool machines for people who like looking at cool machines).
