The Precision of Japanese Trains and Delay Certificates

05/10/2023

Hello! Today, I'd like to introduce you to the punctual operation of Japanese trains.

Japanese trains rarely run late

Japanese trains are known worldwide for their punctuality. Whether in urban or rural areas, trains run almost exactly according to the timetable. Even when there are delays, they typically last only a few minutes. In the urban train interiors, an apology announcement is broadcast even for a mere one-minute delay. Interestingly, the high-speed railway "Tokaido/Sanyo Shinkansen", which operates approximately 320 times a day and transports around 460,000 passengers, has an average delay time of just 12 seconds per train. Even for me, as a Japanese, this is a surprising fact!

Delay Certificate

Delay certificate for a train that was delayed by 10 minutes.
Available for download from the railway operator's website.

If a train is delayed, stations issue what is called a "delay certificate." This document serves to verify the reason for being late to school or work due to the train delay. Delay certificates are typically issued when the train is delayed by 5 minutes or more.
The precision of Japanese trains is underpinned by Japan's culture and technological advancements. The Japanese place great importance on punctuality, and the operation of trains exemplifies this value. They also incorporate the latest technology to ensure smooth train operations.

Recently, a project named Mini Tokyo 3D has been launched. This project visualizes Tokyo's public transportation in real-time 3D. This web tool allows users to intuitively grasp how trains and buses move within Tokyo.

Features of Mini Tokyo 3D

Mini Tokyo 3D is a web service with the following characteristics:

Real-time Data: Mini Tokyo 3D operates based on real-world transportation data. As a result, you can view the actual movements of trains and buses in real-time. The delay times for each train are also displayed.
3D Visualization: The standout feature of this project is the visualization of data in 3D. It's quite captivating to track the movements of trains and buses on a three-dimensional map.
Easy Access: You can access it from any device as long as you have an internet connection. There's no need for a dedicated app or software.

Mini Tokyo 3D is a fantastic tool to enjoy Tokyo's public transportation from a fresh perspective. With real-time 3D visualization, you can experience the vibrant movements of Tokyo right before your eyes. If you're interested, please give it a try.

Mini Tokyo 3D

-Culture
-train

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