Deadly Cabinet Office Car Crash in Tokyo's Akasaka Claims One Life, Injures Eight

Fatal Collision in Akasaka

A multi-vehicle collision involving a Cabinet Office vehicle in Tokyo's bustling Akasaka district on the evening of January 22, 2026, has resulted in one death and eight injuries. The incident, which occurred around 6:30 PM to 6:35 PM during the Thursday evening rush hour, involved a total of six vehicles, including a taxi and a garbage truck.

Investigation Points to Red Light Violation

Authorities, including the Metropolitan Police Department, are investigating the crash as a possible case of dangerous driving resulting in death and injury. Initial findings, supported by dashcam footage from the vicinity, suggest that the Cabinet Office vehicle ignored a red traffic light and entered the intersection at high speed. Some reports indicate the vehicle entered the intersection 'more than a minute' after the light had turned red and was traveling 'over the speed limit'. No significant skid marks were found at the scene.

The driver of the Cabinet Office car has been identified as a 69-year-old contracted worker, employed by a private company that provides driving services to the Cabinet Office. He was reportedly on duty at the time of the accident and sustained serious injuries, including broken ribs, requiring hospitalization.

Casualties and Impact Sequence

The sole fatality in the pileup was identified as Noboru Akashi, a 32-year-old company employee, who was a passenger in one of the taxis involved. He suffered a fatal head injury.

In addition to the fatality, eight other individuals, ranging in age from their 20s to 60s, sustained injuries varying from minor to serious. Among the injured were two men in their 50s who were passengers in the Cabinet Office vehicle, reportedly suffering significant injuries such as broken bones.

The collision sequence began when the government vehicle reportedly crashed into a station wagon moving perpendicularly through the intersection. The force of this impact propelled the station wagon into a nearby taxi. Both vehicles were then sent into oncoming lanes, where they subsequently collided with three additional vehicles, including a garbage truck and a luxury foreign car, creating the six-vehicle pileup.

Location and Legal Ramifications

The accident occurred in the Minato Ward of Tokyo, approximately 400 meters west of Toranomon station on the Tokyo Metro Ginza Line. This area is known for housing numerous government buildings and offices, including the Japan Patent Office and the U.S. Embassy.

The investigation into dangerous driving resulting in death or injury carries significant legal consequences, with a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison under Japanese law.