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A Japanese rail company has apologised after a train left a station 25 seconds early, describing the incident as "truly inexcusable".

West Japan Railways (WJR) issued a statement after one of its trains mistakenly departed Notogawa station at 7.11am rather than 7.12am as scheduled.

According to Japan Today, the train conductor immediately realised his mistake but carried on when he failed to see anyone waiting on the platform.

However the few commuters who missed their ride filed official complaints, leading WJR to issue an apology.

A company spokesman said: "The great inconvenience we placed upon our customers was truly inexcusable."

The incident follows a similar case in November, in which a Tsukuba Express train firm apologised after a train left Tokyo 20 seconds early.

British commuters took to social media in reaction to the news, with Andrew Cruze writing: "Love it...only in Japan does a train company apologise unreservedly for an inexcusable lack of service...

"The train left 25 seconds early!"

Azhari Harris added: "What a shame Japan!!? Early departure for 25 seconds? What if I can only catch the train [four] seconds before departure!??"

While David Booth said: "If we all stay strong and support one another, we can get through this together, people."

It is rare for trains in Japan, which has one of the world's most reliable railways, to depart at a different time to the one scheduled.