On the afternoon of the 14th, at approximately 4:50 PM, a tragic accident occurred in Akashi City, Hyogo Prefecture, where a seven-year-old first-grade boy was struck by a car while walking on the sidewalk. The impact was severe, and despite being rushed to a hospital, he was later pronounced dead approximately two hours after the incident. The community is mourning the loss of a young life in such a sudden and tragic manner.

The driver, identified as 58-year-old Kazuo Moroaka, an employee from Kakogawa City, was arrested at the scene under suspicion of violating the Automobile Driving Punishment Law due to negligence. According to reports from the Akashi Police Station, Moroaka admitted to not noticing the boy before the collision, which raises serious concerns about driver awareness in residential and pedestrian-heavy areas, particularly around convenience stores that often have high foot traffic.

The police have begun transitioning their investigation towards a charge of negligent driving resulting in death. This incident highlights ongoing safety issues regarding pedestrian areas in urban settings, and the necessity for increased awareness and possible regulatory changes to prevent future tragedies, particularly involving vulnerable populations such as children who may be less visible to drivers.