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Tokyo >> Japan’s railway system is well-known globally for its punctuality, but a recently released transport ministry report points to frequent delays during Tokyo’s rush hour.
The Railway Bureau of the Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Ministry published a report on Dec. 22 about train delays in Tokyo. The report came in response to recommended improvements to the railway network published by the Council of Transport Policy.
The report — the first of its kind by the ministry — provides statistics on the frequency of delays, the causes and countermeasures adopted by each train company.
Figures show that East Japan Railway Co. lines performed the worst on the list, with delays occurring on the Chuo-Sobu Line an average of 19.1 business days a month in 2017.
The report only included delays that occurred within a 31-mile radius of central Tokyo.
Most minor delays of less than 10 minutes were caused by passengers, with 47.2 percent attributed to those trying to get on trains past departure times, 16 percent caused by the reopening of train doors and 12.6 percent caused by people in need of medical assistance.
Among causes of major delays lasting more than 30 minutes, suicides accounted for 43.6 percent, while 21.8 percent were attributed to trespassing on tracks and other behavior that obstructed operations.
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