Police in Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture, have arrested a 53-year-old man on suspicion of assaulting a subway driver by punching him in the face.
The incident occurred at around 4:25 p.m. Wednesday at Sannomiya Station on the Kobe Municipal Subway line, Sankei Shimbun reported.
Police said Haruhiko Yamada, who is a self-employed IT consultant, is accused of punching the 47-year-old driver in the face on the platform. A commuter who witnessed the incident called 110.
Yamada had left the station, but at around 4:55 p.m., police officers found him on the street about 350 meters away.
The victim was taken to hospital to be treated for minor facial injuries.
Police said Yamada has admitted to the allegation but has so far given no reason.
Police are currently investigating the circumstances that led up to the assault.
© Japan Today
10 Comments
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Yubaru
What is a "subway driver?"
obladi
They’ll have the whole thing on camera. Why would anyone punch the train conductor?
OssanAmerica
Weird translation for Subway Operator/Train Operator/Train Driver/Motorman.
I'd guess the JP Text simply said 運転士 or something similar.
albaleo
According to Google's AI search overview...
A "subway driver" is a common term for a train driver on an underground subway system. They operate trains between stations, adhering to schedules and safety regulations.
That seems to make sense to me.
OssanAmerica
AI also says:
"However, the more official and widely accepted term for the position is "subway operator" or "train operator."
"Subway driver": This term has remained informal or colloquial, often used by the general public or in media. It's analogous to "bus driver" and easily understood, but it is not typically used in official job titles or by transit authorities."
It makes perfect sense as in Bus Driver, Truck Driver, but not official terminology.
Yubaru
Folks once again misunderstand the sarcasm, my bad for not including the words "sarcasm alert" in my post.
tora
Yubaru, just a simple /s at the end will do it.
travelbangaijin
"Driver" is the use of a steering wheel such as "bus driver"
A train operator is operating a piece of moving machinery.
factchecker
Train Operator is an Americanism. Everyone else clearly understands what a train driver does.
Yubaru
And you assume that everyone in the world understands English too.