Japanese rail chief to resign over fatal crash

West Japan Railway Co. (WJR) President Takeshi Kakiuchi said Tuesday he will resign to take responsibility for the deadly train wreck last month in Amagasaki, Osaka. During a committee appearance Kakiuchi said he would announce his resignation at an appropriate time, reported The Japan Times. He had earlier said that he had no intention of resigning over the accident that claimed 107 lives. According to the Times, Kakiuchi said he did not necessarily think that the commuter rail line's tight operating schedule was directly connected to the April 25 accident. Meanwhile, Japanese railway unions have reported nearly 200 cases of harrassment against WJR employees, ranging from verbal abuse to physical injury. The unions have set up phone lines to counsel frightened staff.