Key Facts
• Dangerous drifting continues at Yabitsu Pass, Kanagawa Prefecture, despite police warnings.
• Security cameras and 18 road studs installed in December 2024 and March 2025, respectively.
• By January 2025, both cameras were stolen; six road studs vandalized shortly after installation.
• Yabitsu Pass, featured in ‘Initial D,’ attracts young drivers due to its narrow, winding roads.
• Police recorded 150 noise complaints from drifting in Yokohama’s Daikoku Parking Area in early 2024.
• From June 2024 to March 2025, 11 individuals arrested for illegal drifting activities.
• Social media enables drifters to share patrol car locations, complicating enforcement efforts.
• Police now rely on video evidence for post-incident arrests to avoid public safety risks.
Summary
Drifting at Yabitsu Pass in Kanagawa Prefecture, a location popularized by the manga ‘Initial D,’ remains a persistent issue. Despite police efforts, including the installation of security cameras and road studs, vandalism and theft of safety equipment have been reported. The narrow, winding roads continue to attract young drivers seeking thrills. In Yokohama’s Daikoku Parking Area, drifting-related noise complaints peaked at 150 in early 2024, prompting stricter enforcement. Police arrested 11 individuals for illegal drifting between June 2024 and March 2025. However, social media complicates enforcement as drifters share patrol car locations. Authorities now focus on video evidence for post-incident arrests to ensure public safety.
