Japanese Train Not On Schedule! Shame!

DrunkenSano

Diamond Member
Aug 8, 2008
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http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-44149791

Japanese train departs 25 seconds early - again
  • 8 hours ago
Image copyright Getty Images
A Japanese rail company has apologised after a train left a station 25 seconds early, the second such case in months.

The operator said the "great inconvenience we placed upon our customers was truly inexcusable".

If the details are anything to go by, customers are faced with slipping standards: a train last November left 20 seconds early while this time it was a full 25 seconds premature.

As was to be expected, social media has been making the most of the story.

Skip Twitter post by @HarrisAzhari
What a shame Japan!!? Early departure for 25 second? What if I only can catch the train 4 seconds before departure!??

— Azhari Harris (@HarrisAzhari) May 16, 2018
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End of Twitter post by @HarrisAzhari

According to Japan Today, the train conductor thought his train was scheduled to leave Notogawa Station at 07:11 instead of the actual scheduled time of 07:12 on Friday.

After closing the doors to the commuter train one minute early he realised his mistake and still could have averted the looming embarrassment.

But as he couldn't spot any waiting passengers on the platform, he decided to go head and leave early - rolling out of the station 25 seconds ahead of time.

Skip Twitter post by @railadvo
Headline: The West Japan Railway Company has apologised after a train in central Japan departed its platform 25 seconds early. pic.twitter.com/U18DKtko5d

— Peter J LeCody (@railadvo) May 16, 2018
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End of Twitter post by @railadvo

Skip Twitter post by @AndrewCruzeUK
Love it - only in Japan does a train company apologise unreservedly for an inexcusable lapse of service . . . The train left 25 second early! #lovejapan

— Andrew Cruze (@AndrewCruzeUK) May 15, 2018
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End of Twitter post by @AndrewCruzeUK

Japanese trains have a reputation for extreme punctuality, and it turned out that there were indeed still people hoping to get onboard.

Left on the platform, they complained to the rail operator and an official apology was issued shortly afterwards.

Image copyright AFP
Image caption Japanese trains have the reputation of being extremely punctual
In the case last November, management on the Tsukuba Express line between Tokyo and the city of Tsukuba said they "sincerely apologise for the inconvenience" caused.

Back then the mishap was also caused by the conductor mixing up departure times - though no passenger was left behind.

Pretty incredible the differences in how our society differs between Japan and the US. Our mass transit system is such crap compared to those in Japan. Service is no longer a priority in this country, we'd be lucky if any of our trains or buses arrived on time. You'd be wishing for the moon if you expect anyone to apologize for crap service. But in Japan, they are so focused on a job well done, they apologize for leaving the station 25 seconds early.
 

realibrad

Lifer
Oct 18, 2013
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http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-44149791



Pretty incredible the differences in how our society differs between Japan and the US. Our mass transit system is such crap compared to those in Japan. Service is no longer a priority in this country, we'd be lucky if any of our trains or buses arrived on time. You'd be wishing for the moon if you expect anyone to apologize for crap service. But in Japan, they are so focused on a job well done, they apologize for leaving the station 25 seconds early.

Its an amazingly different culture. Somehow they are extremely moral and not Christian. It must be magic lol.

The culture is very much worried about appearance and so they tend not to do things that would hurt them socially. It is both good and bad, but in terms of government and social programs its a great benefit. Imagine a DMV worker trying to work at a government position in Japan. Different culture, different people, different outcomes. Still amazing what they can do though.
 

[DHT]Osiris

Lifer
Dec 15, 2015
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Imagine a DMV worker trying to work at a government position in Japan.
Ironically they'd probably do fine. I'd wager to guess that in most other 1st world nations, people actually bring what they're supposed to to a govt office before showing up, standing in line, wasting everyone's time, then having to come back again later with the appropriate documentation.
 

DrunkenSano

Diamond Member
Aug 8, 2008
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Ironically they'd probably do fine. I'd wager to guess that in most other 1st world nations, people actually bring what they're supposed to to a govt office before showing up, standing in line, wasting everyone's time, then having to come back again later with the appropriate documentation.

That's a very good point. This level of respect and courtesy is not limited to the service sector, it's ingrained in most of their society. So on the customer side, they tend not to throw crazy bitchfits like entitled Americans do when something doesn't go their way or if they misunderstand something and try to blame it on the other party.
 

realibrad

Lifer
Oct 18, 2013
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That's a very good point. This level of respect and courtesy is not limited to the service sector, it's ingrained in most of their society. So on the customer side, they tend not to throw crazy bitchfits like entitled Americans do when something doesn't go their way or if they misunderstand something and try to blame it on the other party.

This seems strange to me. Workers come from the society that you see as entitled, so would it not follow that the workers are much of the same?
 

K1052

Elite Member
Aug 21, 2003
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Our mass transit system is such crap compared to those in Japan. Service is no longer a priority in this country, we'd be lucky if any of our trains or buses arrived on time

The US does not possess the political will to fix it's transportation systems, instead we just continue to watch their slow but inevitable decline to lack of investment and attention. This country as a whole is riding on capital investments made decades or even more than a century ago and we don't give a shit if it all falls apart as long as we don't have to pay more in taxes.
 

HomerJS

Lifer
Feb 6, 2002
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Can you imagine what it would take to get a government project like the Hoover Dam passed in this Congress today? That federal spending has paid for itself hundreds of times over.
 

realibrad

Lifer
Oct 18, 2013
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Can you imagine what it would take to get a government project like the Hoover Dam passed in this Congress today? That federal spending has paid for itself hundreds of times over.

Well, you are forgetting about the environmental impact and other modern factors that would stop things like that. The Hoover Dam today would be impossible to build today.

https://www.marketplace.org/2010/05/28/sustainability/why-we-might-not-have-built-hoover-dam-today

The Hoover Dam harnessed the power of the Colorado River to generate reliable electricity for southern California, Las Vegas, and many of the factories that helped win World War II. It also created much-needed jobs during the Great Depression. But Joseph Stevens, author of "Hoover Dam: An American Adventure," says he doesn't think a project like the Hoover Dam would get off the ground if it were attempted today. "Worker safety rules and environmental impact assessments would make the Hoover Dam too expensive."
 

thilanliyan

Lifer
Jun 21, 2005
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instead we just continue to watch their slow but inevitable decline to lack of investment and attention. This country as a whole is riding on capital investments made decades or even more than a century ago and we don't give a shit if it all falls apart as long as we don't have to pay more in taxes.
But look at those shiny new rockets and jet fighters!!! Who needs roads?!!!
 

5to1baby1in5

Golden Member
Apr 27, 2001
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"Say what you like about Musolini, he made the trains run on time."

Actually this was pro-facist propaganda put out by the dictator. The rail system improvements actually occured before he came into power. He just took credit for it.

Sound familiar?