Brighton winger Kaoru Mitoma has expressed deep regret after his car collided with a cyclist in Tokyo. The incident occurred on Wednesday morning, with the cyclist sustaining bruising and Mitoma remaining unharmed. The player's management company stated that the accident was due to Mitoma's failure to observe the road ahead.
Incident Details
The collision happened at 8:45 am on Wednesday. The cyclist was taken for a medical check and found to have bruising, while Mitoma was unhurt. Following the accident, Mitoma checked on the cyclist's condition and cooperated with the police who arrived at the scene.
Player's Statement
Mitoma's management released a statement saying, "Mr Mitoma himself takes this accident very seriously and is feeling sympathetic and apologetic towards the person affected." They also offered their deepest apologies to the injured cyclist and all those affected by the incident.
Previous Injury
This incident comes after Mitoma missed the World Cup due to a hamstring injury sustained in Brighton's 3-0 win over Wolves on May 9. Despite this setback, Mitoma remains one of Japan's top players, having scored the winning goal in a friendly against England at Wembley in March.
Police and Reports
Local police declined to comment on the incident when contacted. However, reports in Kyodo News and other outlets suggest that Mitoma may have run a red light. The exact circumstances are still under investigation.
Significance for Japan
Mitoma's accident is a significant event for Japanese sports fans, given his status as one of the country's best players. His absence from the World Cup squad was already a blow, and this incident adds to the concerns surrounding his career. The Japanese national team lost 2-1 to Brazil in the first knock-out stage at the World Cup in North America, highlighting the importance of key players like Mitoma.
