Although some aging-friendly facilities have been built in Chinese subway stations in accordance with relevant specifications, existing stations have problems such as facility aging, unclear information signs, imperfect service functions, and loopholes in emergency management. Through field investigations and literature analysis, the aging-friendly features of Japanese subway stations are deeply analyzed. Japanese subway stations fully consider the physical functions and travel needs of the elderly in aspects such as in-station passage facilities, information exchange facilities, service facilities, and emergency support measures. Their designs are elaborate and human-centered. By learning from the experience of Japan, China should improve the planning and design standards for aging-friendly facilities, introduce intelligent technologies, optimize information display and services, strengthen personnel training and deployment, and build a comprehensive emergency management system. This can enhance the aging-friendly level of subways, ensure the travel safety and comfort of the elderly, and promote the high-quality development of social public transportation services.

With the global population aging, urban public transportation systems, particularly subway stations, face significant challenges. This paper outlines the basic concepts of age-friendly design for subway stations, analyzes the behavioral characteristics of elderly passengers, and examines their specific needs regarding barrier-free facilities, information signage systems, and station environments. The paper then reviews recent research advancements, including adaptations of facilities for elderly use, integration of smart technologies, and the development of assessment frameworks tailored to age-friendly criteria. Finally, it identifies key challenges in age-friendly renovations, such as insufficient user research, inadequate data analysis, incomplete evaluation systems, a single-scheme verification mechanism and uneven overall development. The paper also outlines future directions in enhancing intelligent systems and evaluation frameworks to better accommodate the needs of elderly passengers and improve their overall travel experience.