In Japan at least we don't have to pay for it. That'd be a little unfair I think . Anyway, because so many commute to work by train here (me included) a late train can and will make you late, and being late to work in Japan is about ten times worse than being late in America. Official apologies are required to be issued to your boss, if not more people.
The pass though is your ticket out of losing face. It's the OBVIOUSLY THIS ISN'T YOUR FAULT pass.