JR Hokkaido train driver in trouble for reading book about trains on stopped train

The punctuality of trains in Japan is famous all over the world, but that level of efficiency doesn’t just happen by chance. It’s the result of a lot of hard work under very strict conditions that some would consider unbearable.

Case in point is the matter of a train driver for JR Hokkaido for “not devoting himself to his work,” as the railway put it. At about 5 p.m. on 7 October, a train was stopped at Otaru Station, when a passenger spotted the driver reading a book and reported it to the company.

This was a “local” train, meaning a train that stops at all stations along a line, as opposed to an “express” train, which only stops at major stations. Because of this system, sometimes local trains will stop for extended periods of time at lesser-used stations while express trains get the right of way to zoom through. In this case, the train was scheduled to wait at Otaru Station for eight minutes before setting off again, so the driver decided to kill some time with a book.

Not only that, but the book he brought in to read was about railways. The driver admitted that he had done so before in the past too, and that he takes the opportunity to relax for a moment when he has the time. No incidents or delays occurred as a result, but JR Hokkaido apologized for the concern it caused among passengers.

Readers of the news online were largely defending the driver in their comments and condemning the person who tipped off JR Hokkaido about the reading. However, there were a few who feltthat  what the driver did was inappropriate for a workplace.

It’s probably safe to say a lot of people read books during their downtime while on the job. It seems better that he was engaged in something during that time as well, rather than just staring at his console to make sure it doesn’t fly away.

That being said, in addition to the foibles of certain drivers, JR Hokkaido was hit with an “enhanced safety inspection system” audit by the national transport ministry and Hokkaido Transport Bureau earlier this year. This is a polite way of saying the leash has been tightened on the railway after a string of problems regarding insufficient track maintenance and safety measures were found. Knowing that, it should be no surprise they aren’t taking even the slightest inconsistencies lightly.

Source : https://soranews24.com/2025/10/14/jr-hokkaido-train-driver-in-trouble-for-reading-book-about-trains-on-stopped-train/

Comprehension

What is Japan’s railway system famous for around the world?
Why did the train driver at Otaru Station come under criticism?
What kind of train was the driver operating — local or express?
How long was the train scheduled to stop at Otaru Station?
What was the driver doing during the waiting time?
Did the driver’s actions cause any delay or incident?
How did JR Hokkaido respond to the situation?
Why is JR Hokkaido currently under strict monitoring by the national transport ministry?

Discussion

Do you think the driver was wrong to read during the break? Why or why not?
What does this situation say about Japan’s work culture and standards?
How do you feel about the passenger who reported the driver — were they right to do so?
Should workers be allowed short personal breaks if their work allows it?
How might this situation be viewed differently in other countries?
What are some benefits and challenges of Japan’s strict punctuality system?
How important is public trust in transportation services like trains?
Have you ever seen or experienced something similar in your workplace or community?
What could JR Hokkaido do to balance discipline and employee well-being?
If you were the driver, how would you have handled the situation?

Vocabulary

Punctuality – being on time; the quality of not being late.
Devote (oneself) – to give full attention or effort to something.
Downtime – a period when someone is not busy or working.
Foible – a small mistake or weakness in someone’s behavior.
Audit – an official inspection or review to check performance or safety.
Leash (tightened) – a phrase meaning that control or restrictions have become stricter.
Inconsistency – something that does not follow the expected rule or pattern.
Maintenance – the act of keeping something in good condition or working order.