Key Facts
• June 29, 2022: Incident occurred at an intersection in Beppu City, Oita Prefecture.
• Two male university students on a motorcycle were struck, resulting in one death and one injury.
• Suspect Yoichi Hatta, 28, fled the scene and remains at large.
• June 2, 2025: Police added murder charges to the investigation.
• June 29, 2025: Oita police distributed flyers at Nagoya Station, seeking public assistance.
• Nationwide campaign launched in major cities like Tokyo and Osaka to gather information.
• Contact number for tips: 0977-21-2131.
Summary
Three years after a fatal hit-and-run in Beppu City, Oita Prefecture, police are intensifying efforts to locate fugitive suspect Yoichi Hatta, 28. The incident, which occurred on June 29, 2022, involved a collision with two male university students on a motorcycle, leaving one dead and the other injured. On June 2, 2025, murder charges were added to the case. To mark the anniversary, Oita police distributed flyers at Nagoya Station and launched a nationwide campaign in cities like Tokyo and Osaka, urging the public to provide any information, no matter how minor. The contact number for tips is 0977-21-2131.
