West Japan Railway Co. said Tuesday it will increase the flexibility of its timetables to reduce the pressure on drivers to be on time, according to a report on safety measures submitted to the Land, Infrastructure and Transport Ministry.
The 19-page safety report was ordered after a JR Fukuchiyama Line train derailed in Amagasaki, Hyogo Prefecture, on April 25, killing 107 people and injuring more than 500 after smashing into a nine-story condominium building just off the tracks.
Investigators suspect the seven-car train derailed after the driver, Ryujiro Takami, entered the curve at the accident site well above the speed limit in an attempt to make up for a delay at a previous station.
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