TOKYO: A Japanese railway operator has issued a deep apology for the "tremendous nuisance" caused by a train departing 20 seconds early, surprising even a nation renowned for both punctuality and politeness.The Tsukuba Express train linking Tokyo and the capital's northern suburbs pulled out of Minami Nagareyama Station at 9:44:20 instead of 9:44:40. "We deeply apologise for causing tremendous nuisance to customers," said the Tsukuba Express company. "A spokesman told AFP the apology was issued because strict safety procedures were not followed. "What matters is not the 20 seconds... "There are sometimes passengers who try to jump on the train... they could be caught in doors" if the doors shut without warning, he said.But the apology had several social media users scratching their heads.

Source: Times of India November 17, 2017 04:21 UTC