Key Facts
• June 29, 2025, marks three years since the Beppu hit-and-run incident.
• In 2022, two male university students on a motorcycle were hit by a car, resulting in one death and one injury.
• Suspect Yoichi Hatta is on the most-wanted list and is being pursued by police.
• On June 2, 2025, murder charges were added to the case, now classified as a homicide.
• Police and support groups distributed flyers in seven prefectures, including Osaka, seeking information.
• Witnesses in Osaka have reported sightings of individuals resembling the suspect.
• A support group leader expressed frustration and urged the suspect to surrender.
• Police request the public to report any sightings of individuals resembling Hatta.
Summary
The Beppu hit-and-run case, which occurred in 2022, remains unresolved three years later. The incident involved two university students on a motorcycle, one of whom was killed. Yoichi Hatta, the suspect, is on the most-wanted list, with murder charges added in June 2025. Police and support groups are intensifying efforts to gather information, distributing flyers in seven prefectures, including Osaka, where multiple sightings have been reported. Authorities urge the public to report any information that could lead to Hatta’s arrest. A support group leader expressed deep frustration and called for the suspect to turn himself in to face justice.
