Motorcyclist Dies After Deer Collision and Hit-and-Run

Apr 30, 2026 | News On Japan

GUNMA, Apr 30, 2026 (News On Japan) - A motorcyclist was killed after colliding with a deer and being struck by following vehicles on April 29th in the early hours in Shibukawa, Gunma Prefecture, with police arresting a 61-year-old woman on suspicion of a hit-and-run.

According to police, the suspect, identified as Ruriko Sasagawa, 61, of Higashiagatsuma in Gunma Prefecture, allegedly struck the fallen rider with her light passenger vehicle and fled the scene.

The incident occurred at around 1:30 a.m. on a national highway in Shibukawa, where the victim, identified as Masami Noguchi, 61, a company employee from Takasaki, is believed to have lost control of his motorcycle after colliding with a deer and falling onto the road.

Investigators said Noguchi was subsequently run over by two vehicles in succession, first by Sasagawa’s car, followed by another standard passenger vehicle shortly afterward. Noguchi later died from his injuries.

Sasagawa has admitted to the allegations, telling police, "There is no mistake," according to authorities.

In a further twist, a male witness who reported the incident had himself collided with a separate deer while driving a truck in the opposite lane and then observed Noguchi being struck by the two vehicles.

Source: TBS

Man Arrested Over Six Suspicious Fires in Tokyo

A 58-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of setting fire to a home in Tokyo's Adachi Ward on September 4, injuring an 81-year-old woman, as police investigate whether he was involved in six suspicious fires reported in the area over about two weeks.

First Hearing Held for Return of Ainu Remains

The first hearing in a lawsuit seeking the return of 279 sets of Ainu ancestral remains from the Japanese government was held on September 4, marking the first time an Ainu group has taken the state to court over the return of human remains.

Yokohama Mayor Resigns Over Power Harassment Allegations

Yokohama Mayor Takeharu Yamanaka resigned on September 7 after the city assembly unanimously approved his request to step down over allegations of workplace power harassment, setting the stage for a mayoral election in October.

Typhoon No. 24 Nears Minami-Daito Before Weakening Into Tropical Depression

Typhoon No. 24 (Krovahn) was near Minami-Daito Island, about 300 kilometers southeast of Okinawa, as of 3 a.m. on September 7, moving east-northeast at about 10 kilometers per hour and expected to weaken into a tropical depression by the afternoon, although strong winds and high waves were forecast to persist before its remnants move north and potentially intensify the autumn rain front over western and eastern Japan later in the week.

Tokyo Unveils Design for Symbol Tree at Shinjuku Station

Tokyo has unveiled the design for a major redevelopment of the plaza outside Shinjuku Station's west exit, with a landmark tree, water-play area and event space planned as part of a transformation centered on "greenery, light and people" that is scheduled for completion in 2035.

MEDIA CHANNELS

MORE Society NEWS

Woman Dies After Car Flooded in Underpass

A woman in her 60s died after her car was submerged in a flooded underpass in Iwaki, Fukushima Prefecture, as record rainfall caused widespread flooding, landslides and transport disruption across Kanto and surrounding areas on September 7, with authorities warning that further rain was expected during the evening commute.

Police Probe Deadly Cake Shop Fire in Gifu

Three people died and two others were injured in a suspected arson and stabbing at a cake shop in Motosu, Gifu Prefecture, where the 66-year-old female owner had gathered with nine former junior high school classmates on September 5, with police investigating whether a 70-year-old company executive who was apparently not invited to the gathering was involved.

Prince Hisahito Turns 20, Pursuing Interest in Maps

Prince Hisahito, the only son of Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko, turned 20 on September 6, as he continues to take part in a growing range of official duties as an adult member of Japan's Imperial Family.

How Teens Get Pulled Into Dark Jobs

Young people recruited into illegal "dark part-time jobs" through social media and friends are increasingly becoming involved in fraud and violent robberies across Japan, with interviews at a juvenile training school revealing how the promise of easy money, a desire for recognition and fear of criminal groups can gradually leave them feeling unable to escape.

Serial Arsonist Targets Tokyo's Adachi Ward

Tokyo police are investigating the possibility of a serial arson spree after six suspicious fires were reported within about two weeks in the same neighborhood of Adachi Ward, leaving an 81-year-old woman with burns and damaging homes, political party posters, a vending machine and a bicycle.

Man Sentenced to 17 Years for Stabbing Girlfriend to Death

A 52-year-old restaurant operator was sentenced to 17 years in prison on September 4 for killing his former girlfriend by repeatedly stabbing her in the abdomen and back with two kitchen knives at his home in Higashiosaka, Osaka Prefecture.

Drunk Chinese Man Who Ran Over Four Kids Admits Driving Without License

A Chinese man who received a suspended prison sentence and had his driver's license revoked after striking four elementary school students while driving drunk in 2025 admitted at his first trial on September 3 that he repeatedly drove without a license while still on probation.

Former Emperor's Funeral to Be Significantly Scaled Back

The Imperial Household Agency is considering holding a significantly scaled-down funeral for former Emperor Akihito at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, reflecting his wishes to minimize disruption to the lives of the public.

< 2 3 4 5 >