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Japanese Bullet Train Driver Takes Bathroom Break At 93 Miles Per Hour

Published May 21, 2021 at 7:11 AM EDT

STEVE INSKEEP, HOST:

Japan's bullet trains run almost automatically. There is an engineer up front for minor adjustments or emergencies - or there should be. One engineer needed a bathroom break and walked away for three minutes, leaving an unqualified conductor at the controls at 93 mph. Nothing happened except Japan's trains are famously on time, and the train slowed while he was away. He was caught after reaching a station safely, but one minute late. Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.

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The independent journalism and non-commercial programming you rely on every day is in danger.

If you’re reading this, you believe in trusted journalism and in learning without paywalls. You value access to educational content kids love and enriching cultural programming.

Now all of that is at risk.

Federal funding for public media is under threat and if it goes, the impact to our communities will be devastating.

Together, we can defend it. It’s time to protect what matters.

Your voice has protected public media before. Now, it’s needed again. Learn how you can protect the news and programming you depend on.

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