I can assure you there are delays. Plenty and some of them 1h long. There are communities of commuters that register trains delays on web pages, everyday there'

I can assure you there are delays. Plenty and some of them 1h long. There are communities of commuters that register trains delays on web pages, everyday there's something. Just yesterday half of my office was empty in the morning because of 1h+ outage. True, Shinkansen is really strict, but normal urban lines? Cooome on, pleople, you wouldn't believe they never delay, would you? And if it happens... Oh boy, you don't want to be out there. Usually tracks are blocked so no more trains for the outage duration, and very rarely outage is covered properly by other lines (unless in central Tokyo). Then everyone rush to the bus station, which looks like can of sardines. Generally if you are entering the station in the morning and see ocean of heads flooding the gates (I mean, head next to head, and moving slowly or not moving at all) you can be sure that day will be an adventure. Oh, and don't forget to take outage confirmation paper which station's staff are handing to everyone so you can have excuse for being late at work. :)