Photo/Illutration Street karts roll through the scramble crossing in Tokyo's Shibuya Ward on Oct. 9. (Arata Mitsui)

A street kart tour operator in Tokyo has been referred to prosecutors for allegedly allowing foreign tourists without valid driver’s licenses to drive go-karts on public roads.

The rare enforcement action highlights concern over safety and compliance with this increasingly popular tourist attraction.

The Metropolitan Police Department filed papers on Sept. 3 against the manager of a rental kart company based in the capital’s Ota Ward, according to investigative sources.

The manager, who is in his 40s, is suspected of renting go-karts to two ineligible foreign tourists in April in violation of the Road Traffic Law.

The case was sent to the prosecutors’ office with a special request for indictment.

The two tourists were from a country that is not a signatory to the Geneva Convention, meaning that their international driving permits are not valid in Japan.

One of the tourists was involved in a property damage accident, leading to the discovery of their unlicensed driving. They were arrested on the spot on suspicion of driving without a license.

The manager reportedly stated that he was aware of the regulations regarding international licensing but admitted that he did not provide adequate training to his employees.

When contacted by The Asahi Shimbun on Oct. 9, the company declined to comment on the matter.

ACCIDENTS ON THE RISE

The popularity of go-kart experiences among overseas tourists in Tokyo has soared in recent years, but concerns over safety and reckless driving have prompted calls for stricter regulations.

On the evening of Oct. 9, a group of five foreign tourists dressed as characters from popular video games was spotted driving go-karts on the streets of Tokyo.

Led by an employee vehicle, the group toured iconic spots such as Tokyo Tower, Roppongi and the scramble crossing at Shibuya. At traffic lights, an employee would even get off their vehicle and take photos of the tourists on the go-karts.

Street kart rental businesses targeting international tourists have been operating in Tokyo for about eight years, according to the International Driving Permit Information Center (IDPIC).

The increase in inbound tourism has fueled demand for these unique experiences, leading to a surge in the number of businesses. Currently, there are approximately 20 companies operating at least 350 vehicles within the metropolis.

Similar services are also available in other parts of Japan, including Osaka and Okinawa prefectures.

The growing popularity of go-kart tours has been accompanied by a rise in accidents.

Police data shows that seven personal injury accidents involving street karts occurred in Tokyo between January and August, all resulting in minor injuries.

Additionally, there were 18 property damage accidents and 134 emergency calls related to dangerous driving during the same period. Reported offenses include using smartphones while driving and illegal parking.

In February, police issued a notice to kart tour operators, urging them to verify customers' driver's licenses, emphasize traffic rules and discourage drivers from getting off the vehicles in the middle of the road for photo opportunities.

While operators are currently not required to obtain permits or licenses to start a kart rental business, experts are calling for tighter regulations of the industry.

"The government should introduce a licensing system for these businesses to ensure that foreign tourists drive safely," said Ryutaro Matsushima, the representative director of the IDPIC.

(This article was written by Arata Mitsui and Shun Yoshimura.)

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