Was in Japan in 2002 for business. First time there. Was on a local train heading for Kyoto. I was in the lead car so went up to observe the engineer during one of the stops. He was dressed in a natty uniform and wore white gloves. I noticed he was looking at his watch and tapping down the seconds til departure from the station. There were two ladies running down the platform to catch the train. When the engineer tapped his watch for the last final time he shut the doors and off we went. Left the two ladies standing on the platform just feet from the door. Wow!
Taiwan trains are the same. On time to the second. Clean and the people are super nice.