crime

SMAP's Takuya Kimura fined twice for speeding since Sept

58 Comments

SMAP singer Takuya Kimura has been caught speeding twice in four months, casting a shadow over a sponsorship deal with Toyota, reports said Thursday.

The heartthrob, whose increasingly middle-aged female fanbase spreads throughout Asia, was caught doing up to 120 kilometers an hour on a motorway with a speed limit of 80 kph last September, the weekly Shukan Bunshun said.

The 39-year-old was with his wife Shizuka Kudo in a Chevrolet Astro on the way to a popular surf spot when he was pulled over, the magazine said.

Kimura, known to his legion fans by the nickname Kimutaku, was again charged with speeding on a street in Tokyo in January, his management company, Johnny's Jumusho, said in a statement published in Japanese newspapers. His driver's license was suspended.

"He has paid the penalty in each case," the statement said, offering "profound apologies" for his offenses.

"Kimura himself deeply regrets that he has acted in a shameful manner... and vows not to repeat such a thing."

SMAP started out as a fresh-faced boy band some 20 years ago, and despite sometimes obvious musical shortcomings, they have remained popular in Japan and across Asia.

Kimutaku has starred in a series of Toyota commercials since last October with popular Japanese comedian-actor-filmmaker "Beat" Takeshi Kitano, under the slogan "Fun to Drive Again."

"It was very regrettable," a Toyota spokesman said when asked about Kimutaku's misdeed. "We have asked him to abide by traffic rules."

He added that the company had no immediate plan to end the commercials.

© AFP

©2024 GPlusMedia Inc.

58 Comments
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oh dear. Who doesn't do that? Everyone I know, or see on the highway, drives 20Km over.

12 ( +13 / -1 )

Kimura was stopped for speeding once last September on a tollway in Chiba

So 120kmph on an expessway? I know we should all obey the law, but sometimes the lawkeepers could be a bit more lenient, and focus more on BAD or dangerous driving, even if it is just giving advice. Driving quickly is not necessarily dangerous, and conversely, sometimes driving slowly and badly IS dangerous.

If it is just a technical spedding ticket, I feel sorry for him to have to be put through this. If it was dangerous as well, then take the punishment.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

Some days you wish all the news coming out of Japan was like this kinda news. I wonder what is Mr Kimura's riding anyways.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Is he going to get booted from TV for a few months like his other braddahs were?

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Gee I didnt know "regular automobiles" went that fast LOL!!!

This is lame on many levels haha!

2 ( +2 / -0 )

And this is newsworthy because.....?

2 ( +4 / -2 )

This is so not newsworthy.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

So 120kmph on an expessway?

Expressways here are 80km/h. Laughably slow. Virtually everyone does 100-120 in the fast lane. Either he was one of the slow ones, or he was slowing down for the tollgates

4 ( +4 / -0 )

So he is just like the 80% of drivers who are speeding at any given time!

7 ( +7 / -0 )

Expressways here are 80km/h

It is 100kmph, with larger vehicles restricted to 80kmph. Sometimes, there is an 80kmph restriction if weather is bad.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

a "regular automobile"? What, a Nissan March? a Ferrari? a K-car? How about a few specifics now and again to make these yawnable "news" items a bit more inter..est...zzzzzzzz

0 ( +1 / -1 )

.. sorry, dozed off. Was he driving NAKED?

5 ( +5 / -0 )

According to the Japanese language reports he was driving a Chevy.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

he has the money to pay the fines. i wonder how many points he got and if he has to go to the driving classes/movies/lectures like the regular speeding joes.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

According to the Japanese language reports he was driving a Chevy

Oh, the shame!

1 ( +1 / -0 )

If it was a Chevy, I would say it was a Corvette.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

What happened to his Ferrari?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Though he drove a Hummer? That's what we see him in around Yokohama...

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Takuya Kimura, 39

Mid-life crisis?

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Speed limits in Japan are set for 20th century cars. Unfortunately,they have nothing to do with safety and everything to do with fleecing the motorist!

6 ( +7 / -1 )

Was he driving a 'regular' Prius?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Did they actually catch him or did he have to hand himself in and confess to the J(K)eystone cops. I mean - he was doing 120! Given how 'talent'ed we all know SMAP are I'm sure a routine of well-choreographed bows in front of the tv cameras will no doubt be more than enough to suffice for the discerning J-public (with perhaps a discreet donation to the right cause). No lengthy questioning or court appearance for this dude that's for sure.

"As a member of society, doing something so embarrassing has prompted me to reflect on my actions. I promise not to let it happen again".

Remember this line for next time you get caught R!

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

Speed limits in Japan are set for 20th century cars. Unfortunately,they have nothing to do with safety and everything to do with fleecing the motorist!

Absolutely! Have been there myself unfortunately, and it is a pure revenue generation scheme!

What the story doesn't say, but is in some Japanese media, is that his licence was revoked too. This is odd, as since he can't drive anymore, the police income from his speeding will dry up!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Though he drove a Hummer? That's what we see him in around Yokohama

LOL! Cool bit of name dropping, wanderlust

Was he driving his Chevy to the levy?

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Toyota sponsor him but he drove Chevrolet. LOL!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

The article clearly states he was driving a Chevy Astra.

He was very unlucky if he was done for doing 120. I believe that even though the limit is lower on expressways up to 120 kph is usually ok. Most people drive at just under 120. A few drive faster. Hardly any drive under the speed limit unless there is snow or ice on the road.

Anyone who drives in Japan should get a radar detector. The ones sold in Japan also detect when there is a police radio vehicle nearby.

Speed limits are ridiculously low in this country. I am sure cyclists break them at times.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

He should work a bit on his acting instead of going surfing. Would make his efforts less cringe-inducing. But as this is Japan, looking good will do just fine, right?

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

hahaha 120, minimum speed in Germany is 130 - there you should not be slower than that otherwise you get fined.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Does anybody has any idea how many violators were caught in a similar offense that same day Takuya Kimura was apprehended?

1 ( +1 / -0 )

I bet his talent agency, Johnny's was none too happy!!

-4 ( +0 / -4 )

racing in chevy astro van is nothing to be proud of ! ! ! !

4 ( +4 / -0 )

“It was very regrettable,” a Toyota spokesman said when asked about Kimutaku’s misdeed. “We have asked him to abide by traffic rules.”

in a Chevy that's what

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Driving an Astro - shame. Probabaly done by a camera on the expressway. I been caught 3 times. Lost my licence for 6 months for one of them!!!! Yes, people should abide by limit, but 80 is way too low. also, so many drivers are just awful and will never get pulled up for it.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Speeding is a waste of resources, showing one's presumed moxie and most of all dangerous to others! If he want to get a real experience going fast,, leadfoot should take it to the track!

0 ( +2 / -2 )

If I go 120km/h will I get to be in the news too?

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Not really a biggy, although you'd think he would have waited a little longer to start speeding again. Anyway, it's not like he pulled Kusanagi or a Goro in terms of breaking laws.

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

Bet his engine sounded a lot more impressive than his singing

1 ( +3 / -2 )

My female co-worker says Kimutaku is "ridiculously hot."

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

He should have been fined just for the fact he is driving a Chevrolet...and in Japan!

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

If celebrities like Kimutaku can get fined for speeding, why can't society fine him for starring in one too many TV mini series with that villainous gaze?

0 ( +1 / -1 )

NeoJamal: "If celebrities like Kimutaku can get fined for speeding, why can't society fine him for starring in one too many TV mini series with that villainous gaze?"

It's only 'villainous' if you believe it. I find most of his 'gazes' to be extremely feminine. I almost buy that he enjoyed canned coffee in some commercials, but beyond that I think he is extremely vapid and not worth the fame he has garnered.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

Toyota is probably more peeved that he was busted in a Chevy then the speeding offence.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

He should have been fined just for the fact he is driving a Chevrolet...and in Japan!

@imjdmyo <- Every country should be reminded of that we then set auto tariffs (just to be fair you know...)

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Back on topic please.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Why is this a big deal, I do 130 everyday. Also he was driving a astro, not the sportiest of vehicles.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

"SMAP started out as a fresh-faced boy band some 20 years ago, and despite sometimes obvious musical shortcomings..."

One of the understatements of 2012 so far, right there.

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

Jan Claudius WeirauchMar.

hahaha 120, minimum speed in Germany is 130

and in France too - and it seems that until recently, there were NO limits on the "Autobahn" in Germany. Some "ordinary" roads in France have a speed limit of 110; the "Périphérique" = 90km but its "equivalent" in Tokyo "Kan 7" has only just been raised to 50 from 40 !

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

PS. With all the money spent on road-work, one would think they're "up-to-standard" enough to increase the speed limits.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

As long as you say "What happened was very regrettable" and bow 3 times - all will be forgiven and forgotten. I reckon Toyota is just peeved because he chooses not to drive their product!

2 ( +2 / -0 )

They must have singled him out. Some J cops have it in for Kimtaku because for so many, 120 is an average to shoot for (perhaps because time/distance calculations are a snap). Even at that speed I regularly have people riding my tail eager to pass.

And if Toyoto drops him it will show an interesting but typical double standard. Commericals show cars obviously speeding regularly. But actually do it, and you no longer represent their image!

0 ( +1 / -1 )

This country needs an overhaul in the speed camera regime like Takuya Kimura needs acting school, he was terrible in Nankyoku Tairiku.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Kimura himself deeply regrets that he has acted in a shameful manner… and vows not to repeat such a thing.

...and vows what? Not to be human? Must be a slow day in the news.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

He doesn't regret anything, he did it twice!

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

The Chevy Astro is a shag-mobile. Everybody knows that.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

If he gets caught a third time, he will lose his license for a year. He needs to buy a GPS speed radar gadget, I just bought one for 17,000 yen and has paid for itself many many times over.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Kimura-kun apparently needs to lay off some of those energy drinks he also endorses. Yet these speeding incidents may help and not hurt him get more auto endorsement deals. Toyota and every other car manufacturer wants to appeal to the Twenty-something demographic. So this kind of news is priceless--Kimura now has street cred with a new generation of male car buyers. He can even smirk about his driving escapades in a future commercial. Nothing like staying in the limelight...

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

You guys are missing the most important part. The car. Nobody cares about his speed. This is news cause of the car. I'll show you why.

“It was very regrettable,” a Toyota spokesman said when asked about Kimutaku’s misdeed. “We have asked him to abide by traffic rules.”

No, they asked him not to drive that American car while he's representing Toyota.....hahahahaha lol. They could care less about the traffic rules. The kid has money, he can pay for it.

No doubt he was pulled over cause his car was easy to identify as non-Japanese.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

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