How a Japanese Safety Trick Could Sharpen Your Focus and Curb OCD Habits

Shisa Kanko, or 'pointing and calling', is a Japanese safety technique famously used by railway workers to reduce errors. It works by engaging multiple senses: sight, speech, and physical movement to move a task from "autopilot" into conscious awareness. It requires railway workers to call out and point at the place or object simultaneously whenever an operation is being performed (Kim, Kho, Tan, and Lai, 2024).

This sequence of actions, as the Shisa Kanko is being performed, focuses attention on the exact task at hand. This ensures things are done at a high standard and counters complacency of repetitive tasks (Itsuki, 2026).

Checking OCD, OCD-Like Traits, And Shisa Kanko

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) can come in subtypes, like checking-OCD, and people can also have OCD-like traits (Shah, 2026). With checking behaviours and checking-OCD, the checking behaviour can vary from person to person, and is often based on the fear that drives the checking behaviour (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Los Angeles, n.d.).

Applying Shisa Kanko To OCD-Like Checking Behaviours

When Shisa Kanko is applied to ease OCD-like traits and checking behaviours, it acts as a cognitive anchor to provide certainty and mental "closure". But to use it effectively, we must perform three distinct actions simultaneously for a specific task.

1. Point: Physically point our index finger at the object (e.g., the hob, the front door lock, or a plug).
2. Look: Ensure our eyes are fixed on exactly what we are pointing at.
3. Call: State the action/status out loud. It must be an audible, clear declaration.

Tips For Using Shisa Kanko

Don't be shy

The "Calling" part is the most vital for memory confidence. Without it, we're not using the Shisa Kanko technique. So if we're feeling shy, even a whisper is more effective than silence.

Visual aids

It can be useful to place a small sticker (like a bright dot) on "trouble" items to remind ourselves to perform Shisa Kanko. This will work as a self-nudge to engage with the technique.

Be specific

Being specific is key. So don't rely on the old favour of just saying "Done", say "Front door is double-locked, clear". Specificity builds stronger memory confidence.

Other Wellbeing Uses For Shisa Kanko

Combating mindlessness

Shisa Kanko can be used for things other than checking behaviours. It's possible to use it for small healthy habits. For example, we could try saying "Water bottle is full" while pointing at the bottle to help us reinforce our intention to hydrate.

Reducing brain fog

When we feel overwhelmed, we can use this technique to help ground ourselves in the present. Just point at three things we see: "Blue chair, seen. Green plant, seen. Window, seen".

Task transition

I'm all for helping drive a wedge between work and our personal life, so when finishing work, we could point at our laptop: "Work is finished, switching off". This creates a psychological boundary between our professional and personal lives.

Summary

Shisa Kanko has the potential to be a great tool to help overcome some OCD behaviours and checking behaviours. Not only is it a simple technique to use, but it can also help us return our faith in our memories. The fact that it can help avoid the mistakes that come from complacency is a bonus.