Imagine being so passionate about your job that you spend your downtime reading about it, only to get in trouble for it. That’s exactly what happened to a JR Hokkaido train driver who found himself in hot water for reading a book—about trains, no less—while his train was stopped at a station. But here’s where it gets controversial: Was this a harmless way to pass the time, or a breach of professional conduct? Let’s dive in.
Japan’s train system is renowned worldwide for its punctuality and efficiency. But achieving this level of precision isn’t just about luck—it’s the result of rigorous work under strict conditions that many might find overwhelming. Take, for instance, the case of this JR Hokkaido driver, who was accused of ‘not devoting himself to his work.’ On October 7th, around 5 p.m., a passenger spotted him reading a book while the train was stopped at Otaru Station and reported it to the company.
Here’s the context: The train in question was a ‘local’ train, which stops at every station along its route, unlike an ‘express’ train that only halts at major stops. This means local trains often wait longer at less busy stations to allow express trains to pass. In this case, the driver had an eight-minute layover at Otaru Station and decided to use the time to read. And this is the part most people miss: The book wasn’t just any book—it was about railways. The driver admitted he’d done this before, seeing it as a way to relax during downtime. No delays or safety issues arose, but JR Hokkaido still apologized for any concern caused.
Online reactions were mixed. Many defended the driver, criticizing the passenger who reported him. Comments like, ‘Let him read if the train is stopped! Why snitch?’ and ‘There’s no safety issue—let him relax,’ flooded social media. Others, however, argued that reading on the job, even during a scheduled stop, was unprofessional. One comment even asked, ‘Does everyone think reading at work is a joke? Do you read books at work?’
It’s worth noting that JR Hokkaido has been under increased scrutiny lately. Earlier this year, the company faced an ‘enhanced safety inspection system’ audit by the national transport ministry due to issues with track maintenance and safety measures. Given this context, it’s no surprise they’re taking even minor incidents seriously. But here’s the question: Should employees be allowed to engage in personal activities during scheduled breaks, especially if it doesn’t impact their performance? Or is any deviation from strict professionalism unacceptable?
What do you think? Is the driver’s behavior a harmless way to unwind, or a step too far? Let us know in the comments—we’d love to hear your take on this heated debate!
