Ageo Station 50 (80 km) miles north of Tokyo, was where a Japanese Railwaymen's go-slow collided head on with angry Tokyo-bound commuters on Tuesday (13 March).

An estimated 10,000 passengers, frustrated by 6 days of the railway-men's work-to-rule and the subsequent disruption of services, went on the rampage smashing office furniture, telephones, vending machines and windows. Station officials reported that money was stolen from the vending machines.

The crowd also attacked their train which arrived late due to the railwaymen's action. They systematically smashed the train's windows and lights, and threatened the train driver with violence. All services on the line were cancelled for the remainder of the day. Riot police were called in, but before the commuter's anger had subsided more than 170 trains were cancelled and a further 1,140 delayed.

Elsewhere throughout Tokyo and surrounding areas, the work-to-rule brought further casualty reports from stations coping with large crowds of passengers. People were reported injured in the crush for the few trains still in service.

The 52,000 member National Railways Locomotive Engineers Union was staging the work-to-rule in demand for greater safety facilities, shorter working hours and other measures to improve train safety.

Following the Ageo Station riot, management and Union officials started negotiations at the request of Prime Minister Kakuei Tanaka.

SYNOPSIS: Fifty miles north of Tokyo, Japan at Ageo station, a full scale riot took place on Tuesday as a result of a railwaymen's work-to-rule. An estimated ten-thousand Tokyo-bound passenger, already frustrated by six days of a railway slow-down, went on a rampage when their train arrived late as a result of the go-slow.

The commuters systematically smashed the express train's windows and lights. The driver ran for cover after being threatened with violence.

With the tracks covered in debris, and other trains left idle by their frightened crews, all service on the line was cancelled for the rest of the day.

Ageo station itself was badly damaged by the rioting commuters. Windows were smashed as were telephones and vending machines. Money was reportedly stolen from the vending machines.

The Station Master's office also fell victim to the mob. They charged into the office trampling furniture underfoot and smashing windows.

The authorities called in riot police to quell the angered commuters. One hundred and seventy trains were cancelled and more than one thousand delayed because of the riot. The work-to-rule brought other casualty reports from Tokyo and surrounding areas. Passengers were being injured in the crush for the few trains still in service.

The fifty-two thousand member National Railways Locomotive Engineers Union was staging the go-slow in demand for greater safety condition and a shorter work week. Following the riot, Prime Minister Kakuei Tanaka requested management and the union to commence negotiations.