Just One Can of Beer Can Lead to Irreversible Consequences Popular Commercial Director Reveals Unexpected Dangers of Drunk Driving
Drunken accident in a Porsche on a rainy night
At 8 a.m. on February 27, Shinji Hamasaki (49), a commercial director and film director, appeared at the Tamagawa Police Station of the Tokyo Metropolitan Police in a gray sweatsuit to be sent to prosecutors. Seeing the press waiting outside, he looked down and got into the police vehicle.
That evening at 9 p.m., Hamasaki was released and re-emerged from Tamagawa Police Station wearing a white T-shirt and black jacket. Bowing his head to the investigators as he exited, he then faced the press directly and said:
“This time, due to my reckless behavior, I caused trouble to everyone. I am truly sorry.”
Hamasaki was arrested on the spot on February 26 on suspicion of violating the Road Traffic Act (driving under the influence).
“Late at night on the 25th, on a street in Todoroki, Setagaya Ward, Hamasaki’s Porsche slipped, collided with a taxi in the oncoming lane, and then struck the wall of a private residence. Police who arrived after a witness report tested his breath at the scene and found alcohol levels above the legal limit, leading to his arrest. Hamasaki admitted the charges and stated that he had drunk one can of beer.
Fortunately, no one was injured, but it was raining at the scene at the time of the accident,” said a reporter from a national newspaper’s social affairs desk.
Hamasaki directed films such as “Baban Baban Baban Vampire” (2025) starring Ryo Yoshizawa (32) and “I Tried Dying Once” (2020) starring Suzu Hirose (27). As a commercial director, he is extremely successful, with a highly notable track record.
“He is well known for the au commercials. The popular ‘Santarou’ series, launched in 2015, featured Shota Matsuda (40), Kenta Kiritani (46), and Gaku Hamada (37) in lead roles, with guest appearances from other top actors, totaling over 100 productions. He also worked on series for Home Tutor Try’s ‘Heidi,’ Hino Motors’ ‘Hino no Ni Ton,’ and Kao Attack’s ‘Sentaku Aishiteru Kai.’
He has won numerous awards in advertising, including the ACC Grand Prix and ACC Best Director Award. He has a reputation for strong communication skills and energizing the set. In a past web interview, he said that while talking with staff, increasingly unconventional ideas would emerge,” said an entertainment writer.
Possibly dangerous driving
Munenori Kumagai, a former traffic investigator and head of a traffic accident analysis office, warns about the dangers of driving even after consuming a small amount of alcohol.
“Driving under the influence refers to when 0.15 ml or more of alcohol per liter of breath is detected. In contrast, drunk driving applies regardless of the amount of alcohol detected, when someone is so intoxicated that they cannot walk straight.
As for how much alcohol causes a driver to be legally impaired, it varies greatly from person to person—some turn red after a single sip, while others can drink a lot without effect. There is a formula, but the range is so wide that it isn’t reliable. So, drinking just one can of beer does not mean it is safe to drive.”
There are even cases where alcohol is detected without consuming liquor.
“In my experience, someone triggered a test after eating whiskey bonbons, though they must have eaten quite a few. Mouthwash can also register on tests if used just before the measurement. However, rinsing with water eliminates this, and before testing, subjects are always asked to rinse, so it’s usually not a problem.
If an accident occurs, whether the blood alcohol level qualifies as driving under the influence makes a big difference. If alcohol is deemed a contributing factor, charges for dangerous driving could apply,” Kumagai explained.
On March 1, it was revealed that Hamasaki had been removed from his role as a judge for the “TYO Student Movie Award.”
It is unclear whether Hamasaki consumed alcohol thinking it was just a small sip, but there is no doubt that it led to serious consequences.
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PHOTO： Shinji Hasuo