Do you know the phrase "seven-minute miracle"? This term is used to praise the work of a little known team, essential for the safe and reliable operation of Shinkansen.

The "seven-minute miracle" is the phrase given to praise JREAST TESSEI CO., LTD, one of the Shinkansen cleaning companies. Their unique, super-speedy and efficient work have attracted attention world-wide, from CNN and BBC for example. Harvard Business School (HBC) has adopted their work into teaching materials, introducing it as an ideal example to discuss improvement in employees' motivation with future business leaders.

JR EAST TESSEI CO., LTD finishes passenger cabin cleaning in just seven minutes, between the train's arrival and their next departure from terminal stations. JR East’s Shinkansen trains which TESSEI is responsible for cleaning, consist of maximum 17 cars, and each train has about 1,000 seats to clean. It might be surprising to know, but this cleaning staff is one of the key players that ensures Shinkansen's high frequency and punctuality. Their job of sparkling the cabin perfectly in time and preparing for the next operation is a work of true professionalism.

When a train arrives, cleaning staff are beautifully lined up on the platform and welcome the train and passengers with a bow. Then they greet passengers getting off the train with gratitude, while collecting trash directly from them. The work of this team may be more appropriately defined as "customer service" rather than cleaning.

After all passengers get off the train, their main job starts. Each staff member is responsible for cleaning one car (approximately 100 seats), including restrooms, in just seven minutes. In that time, TESSEI staff will wipe down all tray tables and seats, sweep the floor, collect forgotten articles, and turn all seats around. Their work is accurate and speedy. When all the cleaning is done, the team will get off the train and line up on the platform again, to bow and announce that the train is ready for passengers to board. This is the “seven-minute miracle”; a work of professionals that starts from the arrival of the train, through cleanup to departure.

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• Movie quoted from Tokyo Metropolitan Government Official Video Channel "Tokyo Douga"

Additionally, similar to that of airplanes, Japanese Shinkansen trains have excellent ventilation performance; the cabin air is refreshed once every 6 to 8 minutes while operating at high speed, alleviating concerns of stale air while traveling long distances.

Since the outbreak of COVID-19, not only the cleaning staff but also train conductors are engaged in sterilization work on board, such as wiping off doorknobs and washstands that are frequently used by passengers. Thanks to their outstanding effort, there have been no infections confirmed to date due to the use of Shinkansen trains, neither in Taiwan nor in Japan.

The work of professional-minded cleaning staff, fulfilling their responsibility within limited time, is one of the key factors creating the value of Shinkansen as highly reliable and safe transportation, while ensuring on-time operation. With pride in their heart, they will continue to support the safe and stable operation of Shinkansen.