2 drivers arrested over hit-and run death of British man

Abhorrent behaviour. They didn't stop, lock them up.

bet they get suspended sentences

insane, police and da should start doing example cases with death penalties for hit and run and making sure to communicate that if you run, you will be in jail over 20 -30 years in best cases.

To be honest I dont really understand why nothing is being done in Japan about red light ( all you need is put a camera or a cop near any, absolutely any red light and you guaranteed atleast one red light runner every second red light ), why nothing is properly done about traffic offenses, or parking violations ( yes, pay for your bloody box to be staved away, blinkers aint parking and if you cant afford parking, forfit driving. )

Why not fine every single violation from 500 Thousand yen and higher, this money can only benefit law enforcement, why not introduce seizing vehicles to be sold off if cant pay or on any second violation?

Poor guy. how long did it take before they found him? If either one of them had stopped, they could have saved his life.

Tanishima kept going but about one hour later, she called 110, saying she might have hit someone with her car.

I'm sure they'll both be locked up. However, it was good of her to call the police and owned up to it. She might have hit someone? If you hear or feel that you did, I'm sure you did. I'm glad her conscience kicked in.

Poor guy. how long did it take before they found him? If either one of them had stopped, they could have saved his life.

Yes. Definitely poor guy. He was the real victim in this.

Most drivers ignore people at crossing walks, this guy paid the ultimate price......

Matsubara hit a pedestrian and sped off. She hit someone lying on the ground and later called police.

Matsubara should get long punishment - his actions led to his death.

I had an American friend who was run down while crossing a street in Chiba and killed by a speeding motorcycle. He left behind a Japanese wife and handicapped young son. The motorcycle rider went to prison and his family paid out considerable compensation. It happened over 20 years ago, but I still feel saddened when I realized at that moment, essentially four lives were destroyed.

RIP to the victim.

Of course the drivers responsible should have slowed down but fear/panic/shock can set in.

I imagine they'll have a lot of time to ponder their actions if they are sentenced.

Poor guy. Run over on a crossing with lights.

My condolences to his family and friends.

They just left him there to die.

Despicable.

Sad.

I've lost count of the amount of times I've almost been bounced off the bonnet of a car on even well lit crossings due to some driver trying to get a jump on the oncoming traffic. At night I always carry a powerful torch to flash them, and something small but chunky to throw at their car if they run over my toes.

Fortunately in Japan as in most countries the cops treat hit and run offenses very seriously. This Matsubara chap can expect little mercy.

Heres a thought...

Had she stopped, acknowledged that someone had been hit, and called fpr assistance...would that second car have hit him? Was it the second hit that killed him?

May Andrew McEwan rest in peace.

So many bias comments about the drivers.

What would be completely insane and irrational is if a person that has a normal life and loving family suddenly one day hit a person accidentally,the guy lay dead on the street, and you would be calm and steady enough to stay and call the police. Anyone would panic and be filled with fear. Is a human response and emotion. We are not saints. At least when she calm down,she reported her crime. The guy was hit by two cars. We will never know what the condition of the person after being hit,but to be so hard and bias about it thinking we are machines and could react in this situation perfectly is insane. There are probably enough witnesses and bystanders around to call it in for the victim.

Whether they stay or not, most of the time in Japan they will still be charge with reckless driving resulting in death. They should have stayed,but not everyone can handle the pressure. We have no right to judge them.

Also my condolences.

Toasted Heretic, "Fear and panic can set in."

Seriously? Theres an excuse for everyone, right?

Seriously? Theres an excuse for everyone, right?

How would fear or panic excuse the person from punishment?

There are too many hit and runs in Japan.

Hiro, you say you understand the feelings of the drivers, but in western countries I know of hitting and running is considered such a low life thing to do.

But, the problem is that in Japan the penalties involved when someone is injured of dies in a car accident are too severe.

There should be more provision made for mistakes.

Pedestrians are extremely careless in Japan..

but - I think Japanese are the worst I’ve seen for not stopping at pedestrian crossings. They don’t seem to think they have to stop.

Terrible

I think Japanese are the worst I’ve seen for not stopping at pedestrian crossings. They don’t seem to think they have to stop.

I agree on the whole. I'd be interested to know if the priority rule is the same as in the UK. At Zebra Crossings there drivers MUST stop when someone has moved onto the crossing. Here I've seen one lane stop whilst cars in the other lane keep whizzing through.

At least when she calm down,she reported her crime.

But Matsubara didn't, he fled and was pinched later only thanks to video surveillance.

We have no right to judge them.

By the powers invested in me by internet anonymity and a couple of glasses of Merlot I proclaim them GUILTY as rumoured.

Gaijinpapa

Agreed. It’s very sad if someone is jailed for years for a traffic accident that was actually almost unavoidable.

Japanese drivers do run late red lights all the time, and go through pedestrian crossings etc.

But if you think they are the worst you have ever seen you obviously have traveled little of this planet lol.

@ClippetyClop

"I agree on the whole. I'd be interested to know if the priority rule is the same as in the UK. At Zebra Crossings there drivers MUST stop when someone has moved onto the crossing. Here I've seen one lane stop whilst cars in the other lane keep whizzing through."

The 'rule' in Japan is actually stricter. Drivers are obligated to stop if a pedestrian simply looks like they intend to cross.

http://qa.jaf.or.jp/accident/rule/04.htm

And speaking of the UK, they recently introduced harsher penalties for drivers who cause death by dangerous/careless driving. Up to life (25 years) in prison for the worst offenders.

Hiro said - “So many bias comments about the drivers.”

Driving is a privilege - not a right. If you don’t think you can handle doing the right thing by your fellow man because you “might panic” - well then, you should not be driving.

Agreed. It’s very sad if someone is jailed for years for a traffic accident that was actually almost unavoidable.

The real crime here, especially for Matsubara was leaving without stopping and leaving a man to die. An accident is one thing but allowing someone to die in case you get into trouble is inexcusable.

A life for a life.

Lock them up

So dont drive, you obviously unfit for it if you cant avoid pedestrians.

Japan needs to get tougher on road users!