In a tragic incident during the 'Tour de Hokkaido' cycling race on September 8, 2023, a 21-year-old university student lost his life after colliding with a vehicle that had entered the course. In response, the Hokkaido Police announced on the 16th that three individuals from the organizing committee have been formally charged with negligent homicide. These officials, aged 78, 63, and 54, were responsible for safety measures at the event and have acknowledged their responsibility to some extent. The police are seeking severe penalties against them, indicating the gravity of the situation.

The investigation revealed that the race organizers failed to enforce the necessary traffic regulations, allowing vehicles and motorcycles to access the route meant to be restricted for the race. On the day of the incident, the cyclist veered into the wrong lane while navigating a curve, resulting in a fatal collision with a car. The police also charged the 65-year-old driver of the car with causing death through negligent driving and indicated that the deceased student might also face charges for violating traffic regulations, raising questions about shared accountability in such tragic events.

This annual race, which has been running since 1987, has been criticized for a potential decline in safety awareness among organizers over the years. The incident has prompted a comprehensive review of safety protocols and has reignited discussions about the responsibilities of race organizers in ensuring the safety of participants and compliance with traffic laws on public roads. As investigations continue, the Hokkaido Police aim to prevent future occurrences of such unfortunate accidents during public sporting events.