TOKYO (TR) – According to the National Police Agency, officers have cited more than 700 players of Pokemon Go for traffic infractions since the launch of the popular smartphone game last week, reports the Nikkei Shimbun (July 29).
Through Wednesday, there had been 406 citations issued to persons playing the game and operating a vehicle, motorcycle, or bicycle. Additionally, there had been 11 cases that involved at least one injury and another 25 cases that resulted in property damage.
Of Japan’s 47 administrative districts, only Yamanashi and Okinawa prefectures did not record any citations. With 35 citations, Tokyo had the most. Saitama (30) and Kanagawa (28) prefectures ranked second and third, respectively.
In 80 percent of the cases, the driver of a vehicle was staring at a smartphone screen, which is a violation of the Road Traffic Law.