TOKYO, April 18 — After nearly three decades of dedicated service, a Japanese bus driver has lost everything—his job, his dignity, and a hard-earned retirement—over a momentary lapse involving just RM30.
The man, whose name has not been made public, had served the Kyoto City transport system for 29 years. But in 2022, a bus surveillance camera captured him accepting a ¥1,000 (about RM30) cash fare by hand from a group of passengers without properly registering it. It was a seemingly small infraction, but one that would cost him dearly.
He was fired. Along with his job, he lost his entire pension package—worth more than ¥12 million (US$84,000 or RM370,208). Hoping for justice, he challenged the decision in court and initially won on the grounds that the punishment was disproportionately harsh. But yesterday, in a final blow, Japan’s Supreme Court sided with the city, restoring the penalty.
The ruling stated that his actions could damage public trust in the transportation system, especially since drivers are entrusted with public money. While some might argue it was a minor oversight, the court emphasized that his conduct—compounded by previous warnings for unrelated incidents like vaping while on duty—undermined the integrity of the role.
The heartbreaking part? Despite nearly three decades of loyal service, a single misstep led to everything being taken away.
Shinichi Hirai from Kyoto’s public transport bureau defended the decision, stressing the need for accountability in handling public funds:
“If our strict measures were not accepted, then our organisation could become careless and it could result in eroding the public’s trust.”
Still, for many, the story hits a nerve. A man who gave most of his life to public service now walks away with nothing—over a single banknote worth less than a meal. It’s a stark reminder that trust takes a lifetime to build, and just seconds to lose.
