This character is an elevator operator. An operator is a person specifically employed to operate a manually operated elevator.

Operators had to regulate the elevator's speed, which typically required a good sense of timing to consistently stop the elevator level with each floor. In addition to their training in operation and safety, department stores later combined the role of operator with greeter and tour guide, announcing product departments, floor by floor, and occasionally mentioning special offers.

In Japan, they are known as shokoki garu ("up and down controller girl") or hakojo ("box girl") Erebeta girl remains the popular term for this occupation, a staple sight of urban Japan. Sporting tailored uniforms and robotic smiles, elevator girls are trained extensively in polite speaking and posture.