Japanese rail company apologises after train departs from station 20 seconds early

A Japanese rail company has apologised after one of its trains departed from the station 20 seconds early.

Private railway Tsukuba Express, which serves suburbs in Tokyo, has issued an apology after a train departed 20 seconds ahead of schedule.

Passengers boarding Tuesday's 9.44.40am train from Minami Nagareyama station, north of Tokyo, were none the wiser when the train left the platform at 9.44.20am.

The Metropolitan Intercity Railway Company apologised in a statement, saying, "We deeply apologise for the severe inconvenience imposed upon our customers."

The rail firm said the train's conductor failed to check the train's timetable, adding that the crew had been instructed to follow strict procedures to prevent a recurrence.