Turkish Company Employee, 29, Arrested Over Illegal Drift Racing at Aichi Port Ahead of Asian Games Crackdown
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.
Aichi Prefectural Police announced by August 17, 2026 that they had arrested Benze Shafak, 29, a Turkish national and company employee residing in Oharu Town, on suspicion of violating the Road Traffic Act by engaging in dangerous joint driving. According to Tokai TV and other outlets, he is accused of drift racing with another vehicle on a road at Yatomi Wharf in Yatomi City, Aichi Prefecture around 1 a.m. on July 12, 2026, creating a traffic hazard by deliberately sliding his tires and spinning the car.
The suspect is believed to have repeatedly engaged in drift racing with associates in the area. Aichi Prefectural Police plan to step up enforcement against illegal driving in the area ahead of the Asian Games and Asian Para Games scheduled for next month, and are investigating whether others were involved.
Current status: Whether the suspect has admitted to the allegations, whether the case will be referred for prosecution, and whether other individuals were involved 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.