TOKYO (TR) – Tokyo Metropolitan Police have referred the manager of a go-kart rental firm to prosecutors for allegedly allowing foreign customers to use the vehicles without proper licenses.
On September 3, the unnamed male manager, aged in his 40s, was sent to the Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office on suspicion of violating the Road Traffic Act for providing a vehicle to be driven on a public road to a person without a proper license.
The manager has admitted to the allegations, police said, according to the Yomiuri Shimnbun (Oct. 11).
According to a senior officer at the Azabu Police Station, the manager is suspected of renting out go-carts to two male foreign tourists who did not have an international driver’s license on April 7. He then allowed them to drive on public roads in Minato Ward.
It is believed that since last fall the company, based in Ota Ward, has allowed around 50 foreigners to drive the carts without a license.
Road Traffic Act
Under the Road Traffic Act, a go-cart operating on a public road is considered a “normal vehicle.” As well, foreigners need an international driver’s license based on the Geneva Convention to drive in Japan.
The two foreign tourists in question had international licenses, but they were issued by countries that are not members of the treaty. The company had customers send photos of their licenses, but employees did not check the validity of the licenses.
On the same day, one of the two tourists caused an accident resulting in property damage and was found to have been driving without a license.
Officers from the Azabu Police Station arrested the two men on the spot for violating the Road Traffic Act for driving without a license. An investigation into the rental company then started.
When the police sent the documents to the prosecutor’s office, they recommended that “a severe punishment” be administered.
