Korean National Influencer, 49, Re-Arrested Over Negligent Driving After Bentley Crashes Into 7 Vehicles, Injuring 6, in Hachioji, Tokyo
This article organizes publicly available information into a single account. Where it describes an arrest or an ongoing investigation, that reflects only one stage of criminal procedure and does not mean guilt has been established (the presumption of innocence applies). We will update this article as new information becomes available, including the outcome of prosecution, non-prosecution, or trial. This article is not intended to unfairly disparage any individual, group, nationality, ethnicity, or belief, and aims to provide objective, fact-based information.
The Metropolitan Police Department announced on August 4, 2026 that it had re-arrested a Korean national, 49, identified as Song Yong-mi, on suspicion of negligent driving resulting in injury, among other charges. According to a report by TBS News Dig, he is accused of crashing his Bentley into a line of vehicles stopped at a traffic signal in Hachioji, Tokyo in March of that year, colliding with seven vehicles and injuring six people.
After the crash, the suspect abandoned his car and fled; a police dog tracked his scent from a jacket left at the scene and found him hiding on a vacant lot, where he was initially taken into custody on suspicion of trespassing. He was subsequently arrested on suspicion of violating the Road Traffic Act (hit and run) and has already been indicted on that charge. Under questioning, he admitted to the allegations, reportedly saying, "I was being chased by a rival group. I thought it was unavoidable that mirrors would get hit." The suspect reportedly worked as a social media influencer under the name "Ryuji Hashimoto" and had approximately 550,000 followers on Instagram.
Current status: Whether the case will be referred for prosecution on the negligent driving injury charge, and the nature of the "rival group," remain unclear as of this writing. This article will be updated as further details emerge.
Editorial Perspective
No decision on indictment has been made at this stage, so this article reflects information from the investigative phase. An arrest is only one step in criminal procedure and does not establish guilt (the presumption of innocence). According to National Police Agency and Ministry of Justice statistics, the number of Penal Code cases involving foreign nationals visiting Japan has risen for two consecutive years since 2023, but remains below its mid-2000s peak (related article). A single case does not necessarily reflect the broader statistical trend; further developments are worth watching.