In October last year, in an accident in which a sightseeing bus overturned on the road descending from the 10th station of Mt. Fuji in Shizuoka Prefecture, killing and injuring 5 people, the prosecutor's office judged that the accident occurred due to an operating error that caused the brake to not work due to an operating error using the foot brake, and charged the bus driver at the time with manslaughter by negligent driving.
In October last year, a 10-year-old woman died and 5 others were seriously injured when a sightseeing bus carrying 36 passengers and crew on a day tour overturned on a prefectural road descending from the 74th station of Mt. Fuji in Oyama Town, Shizuoka Prefecture.
As a result of examining the seized car body by the police, burnt marks were found on the brake parts that seemed to have been caused by the heat of friction when the foot brake was stepped on, while the investigation conducted by the manufacturer showed that there was no abnormality in the performance or operation of the brakes.
For this reason, the Numazu Branch of the Shizuoka District Public Prosecutor's Office judged that a "fade phenomenon" occurred due to an operating error that caused the brake to not work due to excessive use of the foot brake, and charged Yuta Noguchi (28), who was driving the bus at the time, with manslaughter by negligent driving.
According to those involved in the investigation, the defendant admitted to the charges that he "used the foot brake too much, just like on a normal road."
According to the lawyer representing him, the defendant is currently visiting the victim and apologizing directly, saying, "I caused a serious accident and take responsibility seriously, and I am very sorry to the bereaved family, injured people, and other passengers."