TOKYO: Japanese transport minister SAITO Tetsuo expressed his regret Friday over data falsification by Japan Freight Railway Co., JR Freight, which led to an across-the-board service halt.
“It is an act that fundamentally overturns the system of ensuring the safety of railway transportation. It is extremely regrettable,” Saito told a news conference.
He also said that the ministry has asked logistics operators to work together to secure alternative means of transportation to minimize the impact of the scandal on logistics services.
After the scandal came to light, JR Freight stopped all its freight train operations temporarily. The operations have been resumed gradually, but the halt has left lingering effects, including delays in parcel deliveries in many places around Japan.
JR Freight staff falsified data taken during the assembly process for wheelsets, which consist of wheels and axles.
Saito said that the ministry ordered all railway operators to conduct urgent inspections and report the results by Sept. 30.
The ministry will consider administrative punishment against JR Freight based on the results of its special safety audit of the company.
“We will take strict measures to ensure transportation safety and prevent recurrence,” Saito said.
JIJI Press