TOKUSHIMA (TR) – Police in Naruto City have arrested a 55-year-old construction worker after he allegedly tried to run down a teenage train photographer with his car, reports JRT News (Aug. 14).
The incident took place just before 5:00 p.m. on August 14 near a railway crossing on the JR Kotoku Line in the Oasa area.
According to police, the suspect approached a 19-year-old male who was visiting the crossing to take photographs of passing trains. Following an altercation, the suspect allegedly assaulted the teen by grabbing him by the collar. He then got into his vehicle and rapidly reversed it directly toward the victim in an attempt to crush him.
Police say the two men did not know each other prior to the incident.
During questioning on suspicion of attempted murder, the suspect partially denied the allegations, refuting the claim that he had a murderous intent. “I did grab him by the collar,” the man told investigators. “But as for reversing the car, I only did it because I wanted to scare him.”
Investigators believe the confrontation was sparked by a sudden dispute involving tori-tetsu—a term used to describe Japan’s often-obsessive railway photography fans—who had gathered at the scene.
Multiple videos capturing the heated exchange and the suspect’s erratic driving have since surfaced and circulated widely on social media.
