How do Japanese trains stay on time, all the time?

SINGAPORE - A video clip about how Japan's subway keeps its trains punctual is making the rounds on the Internet, and prompting some people here to suggest that train operators in Singapore take a leaf from the Japanese operator's book.

The video clip from the programme Super Japan was put up by Discovery Channel to promote the show.

It shows how the driver of a Tokyo Metro train makes it from Ginza station to Kasumigaseki station in exactly 1min 44sec and 81 centiseconds. The target time for the journey was 1min 45sec.

It also shows how drivers are put through train simulators in training, and how trains and tracks are maintained.

Trains in Japan are famous for their precision in timing.