Japanese Minister apologised to the entire nation for being only five minutes late for a meeting !

Excellent gesture by a Japanese Minister !

Tokyo (Japan) – In Japan, punctuality is taken very seriously, and even a slight delay is considered unacceptable. A video of Japan’s Economic Security Minister Kimi Onoda has therefore gone viral on social media. She was delayed by just five minutes in reaching a Cabinet meeting. As soon as she stepped out of her car, she ran towards the meeting venue.

The Cost of 5 Minutes: Lessons from Japan 🇯🇵

In Japan, a Minister apologised to the entire country for being just 5 minutes late to a meeting. Talk about accountability

In India, arriving on time is so rare it makes the news.

📰 It’s time to ask: When will our leaders learn… pic.twitter.com/fYbbhP3bPv

— Sanatan Prabhat (@SanatanPrabhat) March 13, 2026

The delay occurred due to a traffic jam caused by a road accident on the way. After the meeting, Minister Onoda apologised to the entire nation and said that she would remain more vigilant in the future to handle such situations better.

Praise on social media

Many social media users praised her conduct, stating that it is rare today to see leaders accepting responsibility like this.

Editorial Perspectives

• How many public representatives in India follow time with such discipline and show the courtesy of apologising when they arrive late ?
• In India, if office holders arrive on time for a programme, it becomes a matter of idle chatter; it  is a reality ! Will Indian elected officials learn from their Japanese counterparts how to remain accountable to the people ?