<i>It looked to me that the German solution is to create more tracks and platforms as the lightly used stations so that ICE can pass where the people have no reason to be (they are waiting for another train on another platform) and do the same thing at the larger stations (run it pass platforms were no other loading train is scheduled for awhile. Technically there is no barrier or safety mechanism, the solution is instead created from intelligent design.</i>
Actually, the Japanese do that in many places, too. But, realize in Japan, there's often *no room*. Watch video of the Japanese rail system, you'll see in cities most of the stations are elevated.
Actually, I find the Shinkansen to be a bit boring. It is no doubt an amazing and world class system, but there's a LOT more to the JRs, and looking on Youtube, you'll find a lot of really interesting operations (jointed rail, single tracking, diesel...)....
Japan's rail; system is the polar opposite of the US - virtually no freight, very very very high traffic levels, and yes, crash standards that wouldn't cut it even in Europe. Yet it is arguably the safest rail system in the world.