Apology after Japanese train departs 20 seconds early

Tokyo: A rail company in Japan has apologized after one of its trains departed 20 seconds early -- although no passenger complained.

The management of the Tsukuba Express line between Tokyo and Tsukuba city said they "sincerely apologize for the inconvenience" caused, reports BBC.

The company said in a statement that the train was set to depart at 9:44:40 but left at 9:44:20. The mistake happened because staff had not checked the timetable, the company said.

It said no customers had complained about the early departure from Minami Nagareyama station, just north of Tokyo.

BBC said that it is rare for trains in Japan, which has one of the world`s most reliable railways, to depart before or after the scheduled time.