 Safety regulations left in the hands of privatized JR Since the Japan National Railways was privatized in 1987, the government pushed ahead with relaxing safety regulations. West Japan Railway Company (JR West), which recently experienced a serious accident, has made the inspection cycle longer and shortened each inspection period. According to the National Railway Workers' Union (Kokuro), JR West between 1998 and 2001 reduced the number of days required for inspections from 12 to 6, and the train inspection cycle became 96 months instead of the previous 72 months, with a relaxed inspection cycle for automatic train stop (ATS) equipment from every 6th month to 2 years. Railway tracks patrols, which used to be made every fourth day, was relaxed to every two weeks. In October 2001, the government allowed railway companies to revise engineering standards. In March 2002, the requirement was further relaxed to allow companies to report to the land and transport ministry the results of tests they made on trains, railways, and electrical systems. The consequence is that companies respond to troubles and accidents after they take place. Kubo Takayuki, a member of the Kokuro leadership, said, "The government deregulation measures have intensified competition over entries and fares. Its adverse effect has appeared in the form of a relative neglect of safety precautions and the public nature of transport, an increase in accidents, and worsened working conditions." - Akahata, May 12, 2005 |