Nara train runs canceled after train driver oversleeps

Thursday 22nd January, 06:11 AM JST

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Apsara at 10:24 AM JST - 22nd January

Why was he working until midnight? Because the trains run until midnight. I have talked to some railway employees before and they often do that kind of back to back shift, and then have one or two days off. Doctors and firefighters work similar schedules. How often do you hear of this happening? Hardly an endemic problem, is it.
Statistician at 10:24 AM JST - 22nd January

Politicans should be asking questions about the dangerous working practices this reveals. No-one is fit to be back on such responsible duty after less than six hours sleep. It isn't a battleship in action that we are talking about here, it is a commuter train loaded with thousands of people.
justmeinto at 11:25 AM JST - 22nd January

One would think given the potential of the number of passengers that could be affected the rail company would have a better backup plan.
some14some at 01:29 PM JST - 22nd January

May be intentional to bring such grievances (working conditions) to public notice, however it will go unnoticed by concerned authorities.
ptolemy at 01:56 PM JST - 22nd January

He'll be puilling weeds, sweeping the platforms, and emptying ash trays for a few days. Then they'll give him a big lecture. He'll bow really deep and say "Sorry for being trouble". Then all will be made anew. Safety issues are less of a factor for the transit companies here than being on time, no matter what it takes. I just finished having lunch with a friend who works for Meitetsu here in Nagoya and we were just chatting about this story. Saw it on the news this morning.
tmarie at 02:24 PM JST - 22nd January

Less than 6 hours to sleep? Yes, folks need to be fired and it isn't the guy who didn't wake up.
telecasterplayer at 02:30 PM JST - 22nd January

dang, working until after midnight and expected to report for a 6:00am run the following morning? Kintetsu doesn't see a problem with that?
meanmutha at 02:44 PM JST - 22nd January

i suspect most japanese men are still buzzing from boozin at 6 am.
saborichan at 03:44 PM JST - 22nd January

I doubt that many commuting Japanese get more than 6h a night, too....
jonnyboy at 03:54 PM JST - 22nd January

in my experience, any attempt to appeal to seniors about lack of rest is usually met with macho posturing about having had "only an hour last night" and "feeling fine". i've never been able to understand this. no one would question the need for adequate food & water so why is sleep considered optional and for the weak? ...
Disillusioned at 04:26 PM JST - 22nd January

Welcome to the third world! Japanese train drivers sleep for five to six hours between shifts? You've got to be kidding! In Australia there is a mandatory 10 hour break between shifts as well as a compulsory breath test. Fail three breath tests and you're fired. If they were to breath test the train drivers here the only people left to drive the trains would be high school students.
Stonecoldsoba at 06:51 PM JST - 22nd January

Saborichan:

I doubt that many commuting Japanese get more than 6h a night, too....

Yes, but it's OK if they sleep on the train.
ca1ic0cat at 09:54 PM JST - 22nd January

Are you saying that HS students don't drink? Look at the bright side, at least the motorman wasn't sleeping in the control cab....
jmarc at 11:04 PM JST - 22nd January

and then one wonder why there's trains crash... Even if you aren't tired after 6 hours sleeps, you can be really nervous by the stress of not having enought of sleep or falling asleep while driven the train, then you take risk.. We all saw what happened in Tokyo last time..
mrgalactic at 04:11 PM JST - 27th January

Another myth shattered ! Fact is the quality of train service in Japan has been in decline for years. My trains are late, delayed, simply don't show up on almost a daily basis now ! You'd think the Japanese work ethic would have improved as the economy declined... but nope !