Reiwa Party Leader Taro Yamamoto Faces License Suspension After 149km/h Speeding Violation
Taro Yamamoto, leader of the Reiwa Shinsengumi party, received a 90-day driver’s license suspension after being clocked at 149 kilometers per hour on the Higashikyushu Expressway. The speed, 69 kilometers over the legal limit, triggered a wave of criticism and unconventional defenses from fellow party members, according to reports from Jiji Press and the Saga Shimbun.
How did the speed violation occur and what are the penalties?
Yamamoto was traveling on the Higashikyushu Expressway when authorities recorded his speed at 149 km/h. Because the speed exceeded the limit by 69 km/h, he was hit with a 90-day license suspension, as reported by the Shikoku Shimbun.
Why are Reiwa party members defending the violation?
The reaction from within the Reiwa Shinsengumi party has sparked further controversy. Daily Shincho reports that some party members have offered “acrobatic” defenses to shield Yamamoto from public backlash. One lawmaker, Mr. Okuda, suggested that preventing war is more important than a speeding ticket, effectively arguing that the leader’s political goals outweigh the importance of traffic laws.
Other defenders claimed the "performance of the car was poor," implying that the vehicle's mechanical state contributed to the speed.
Notably, Akiko Oishi, another prominent figure in the party, has remained silent on the issue.
What is the legal and political fallout for Taro Yamamoto?
- Official Penalty: 90-day license suspension (Verified by Jiji Press).
- Party Defense A: “Car performance was poor” (Reported by Daily Shincho).
- Party Defense B: “Preventing war is more important” (Attributed to Mr. Okuda via Yahoo News).
- Internal Response: Silence from Akiko Oishi.