Deadly Delay: When Safety Fails, Deals Get Cut Thin The recent tragedy in Tochigi Prefecture, north of Tokyo, where four workers lost their lives after being hit by a train, highlights the precarious balance between cost cutting and workplace safety.
The incident's grim details – seven workers were weeding the tracks when disaster struck – serve as a stark reminder that corners are often cut, and lives are put at risk, in the pursuit of efficiency.
The Tobu Nikko Line, where the accident occurred, is one of Japan's busiest commuter routes, carrying over 50 passengers on board the express train when it plowed into the workers.