Photo/Illutration A Chinese international student's electric suitcase that was confiscated by Osaka prefectural police in Osaka's Fukushima Ward after she was stopped for riding it without a license (Tomoki Miyasaka)

OSAKA--Turns out, electric suitcases count as vehicles.

A Chinese international student learned this fun bit of trivia firsthand. The not-so-fun reason was that she was being pulled over for not having a license to ride it on a sidewalk.

Police stopped her in Fukushima Ward, which neighbors Konohana Ward, where she resides.

“I didn’t think that the electric suitcase was a vehicle, so I didn’t think that I had to have a license,” said the 30-something-year-old, who has denied the March incident charge.

It is the first case of its kind in Japan. 

Prefectural police referred the woman to prosecutors on suspicion of violating the Road Traffic Law.

Police classified the luggage as a motorized bicycle after noting that it has all the traits of a vehicle.

Electric suitcases are intended to be ridden in airports and are typically sold in electronics stores.

The woman's suitcase can reach a maximum speed of 13 kph. 

Electric suitcases do not meet public safety standards and cannot be ridden on a public road. 

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