New Delhi, Aug. 9 -- In a striking display of punctuality and discipline, a Japanese Shinkansen bullet train was delayed by just 35 seconds-- prompting the conductor to apologise to all passengers and refund their tickets. This incident underscores Japan's exceptional commitment to time management, a lesson many countries, including India, could take to heart.

As reported by The Times of India, the 35-second delay was slightly longer than the Shinkansen's average delay of 24 seconds, according to data shared by the Central Japan Railway Company in 2016. The conductor's apology and ticket refunds highlight how seriously even minor delays are treated in Japan.

This is not an isolated example. In 2017, the Tsukuba Express publicly apologis...