Family of Deceased Toddler Calls Verdict “A Sentence That Torments the Victim”… Defendant Sentenced to 4 Years in Prison Gives Ridiculous Testimony: “I Changed Clothes About 48 Times While Driving”

“It’s incredibly disappointing, and I feel like I’ve been knocked right down to rock bottom.”

At a press conference following the verdict, the bereaved family, who had lost their one-year-old child, expressed their deep regret.

On July 15, the Kochi District Court sentenced Toshihiro Takezaki (62), an unemployed man charged with negligent driving resulting in death or injury, to four years in prison. The accident occurred in September 2024.While driving on the Kochi Eastern Expressway in Konan City, Kochi Prefecture, defendant Takezaki engaged in “distracted driving,” such as attempting to change his shoes on both feet. Due to his carelessness, he collided head-on with a passenger car in the oncoming lane, killing Kōei Jinno (1 at the time), who was a passenger in the oncoming vehicle.

“Kōei’s parents and older sister, who were also in the car, suffered serious and minor injuries, including broken bones.In court, the defendant, Takezaki, made unbelievable statements, such as claiming he had changed his clothes while driving on numerous previous occasions. The prosecution sought a sentence of seven years’ imprisonment. However, while the judge described the driving as “malicious,” the sentence was set at four years’ imprisonment, partly because the defendant had admitted guilt.

Kouei’s parents, who held a press conference after the verdict, said, ‘This verdict was painful for the victims.’“It made me question once again what kind of mindset the judges have when presiding over trials,” they said. The bereaved family’s attorney also stated, “The ruling clearly lacked a proper explanation of the reasoning, resulting in a grossly inappropriate sentence.” (Judicial affairs reporter for a national newspaper)

In this accident, the precious life of a young child was taken due to the defendant’s “distracted driving.” Journalist Mika Yanagihara observed the trial at the Kochi District Court and spoke with the bereaved family.Below, we reprint an article Ms. Yanagihara wrote for “FRIDAY Digital” regarding the defendant’s cross-examination held in April, in which she details the accident and highlights defendant Takezaki’s shocking remarks and behavior.

“To save time…”

On April 13, the defendant’s examination took place at the Kochi District Court. Defendant Takezaki answered calmly and matter-of-factly as the prosecutor grilled him in a stern tone. The exchange was bizarre and hard to believe. On that day, the prosecutor fired off a series of questions regarding the “distracted driving” the defendant routinely engaged in while behind the wheel.

Prosecutor: How many times in total did you change your shirt or pants (while driving)?

Defendant: An average of two to three times a month—over two years, that would be about 48 times, I suppose. I don’t remember exactly.

Prosecutor: Why do you do that while driving?

Defendant: To save time…

Prosecutor: You could have waited until you arrived, couldn’t you? Why would you be so lazy!

Defendant: I’m sorry. It was to save time…

The dangers of “distracted cell phone use” have become a major social issue, and penalties have been strengthened in recent years. But to think there was a driver who even went so far as to “change his pants” while driving on an expressway…The numerous instances of reckless driving described in court were so outrageous that sighs of disbelief could be heard from the gallery.

The accident occurred around 12:50 p.m. on September 21, 2024, on the Kochi Eastern Expressway.Defendant Takezaki, who had finished playing golf that morning and was driving his own vehicle (a Crown Crossover), suddenly crossed the center line and veered into the oncoming lane, colliding head-on with an oncoming car carrying a family of four. That moment was clearly recorded by the victim’s dashcam.

In this accident, the driver, Yuya Shinnou (33 at the time), and his wife, Ayano (37 at the time), who was in the passenger seat, suffered serious injuries; their eldest son, Koei, who was in the back seat, died; and his older sister, who was sitting next to Koei, sustained minor injuries.

Defendant Takezaki was indicted while remaining at liberty 11 months after the accident.According to the indictment, the defendant over-relied on a driver-assistance system installed in his vehicle called “Lane Tracing Assist (LTA),” which helps keep the vehicle centered in its lane. While driving, he unfastened his seatbelt to reach across to the passenger seat to change from leather shoes to sandals; at that moment, he is alleged to have turned the steering wheel to the right, causing the vehicle to veer into the oncoming lane.

The defendant, who admitted to the charges, expressed remorse, stating, “I am deeply sorry for causing the accident; I have done something irreparable.I believe I should go to prison,” and offered a statement of remorse, apologizing to Mr. and Mrs. Shennong in court. However, he repeatedly stated, “I have absolutely no memory of the time of the accident” and “I don’t even remember what I was doing inside the car,” and as a result, he never described the circumstances of the accident in his own words.

“I was careless.”

On this day, there was also a moment when Ayano—who had lost her child, who had just turned one, and had suffered serious injuries herself—used the victim participation system to ask Defendant Takezaki questions directly.

“Why did you habitually engage in dangerous driving?”

In response to this question from the mother, which she seemed to force out of herself, Defendant Takezaki answered with his head bowed:

“I was careless. I’m sorry…”

While we’ve been hearing the term “autonomous driving” more frequently these days, cars currently sold in Japan are equipped only with Level 1 and Level 2 “driver assistance systems” (with Level 5 being the highest), and they still require “driver supervision.”

In other words, even if a car is equipped with a feature called “Lane Tracing Assist (LTA),” it is not designed under the assumption that the driver will take their hands off the steering wheel, let alone change their pants or shoes while the vehicle is in motion.

In recent years, calls have surged for such “distracted driving”—including smartphone use—to be treated not as “negligence” but as “reckless driving” and punished accordingly if it causes a serious accident.However, the revised bill on “Crimes of Dangerous Driving Causing Death or Injury,” which was approved by the Cabinet at the end of March this year, did not include “distracted driving” as a specific category.

At a press conference held after the April trial, the victim’s father, Yuya, made the following appeal:

“My body was shaking with rage during today’s trial.The fact that he brought low-malt beer to the golf course and took a sip or two came to light, making it clear he was fully intent on driving under the influence. I found myself thinking, ‘Go ahead and try changing your pants right in front of me while you’re driving.’ Why was my son killed by a person like this? How much longer must I be treated like a fool and just put up with it…?

Furthermore, I felt once again that it is utterly unreasonable that such dangerous ‘distracted driving’ is not included under the ‘dangerous driving causing death or injury’ category in this recent amendment to the law. Once a life is taken, it can never be brought back. I truly believe that nothing will change unless everyone starts thinking more deeply about this, so I intend to do everything I can for the sake of my late son.”

――In response to the ruling mentioned at the beginning, Ms. Shennong plans to launch a petition drive in preparation for an appeal.