Akari Honda admits to dangerous driving charges at first hearing

Akari Honda, a silver medalist in swimming from the Tokyo Olympics, admitted to charges of dangerous driving resulting in injury during her first court hearing at the Tokyo District Court Tachikawa Branch.

The incident occurred in November last year in Tama City, Tokyo. Honda was driving a passenger vehicle at speeds between 88 and 108 km/h in a 30 km/h zone, causing the car to cross into the oncoming lane and collide with another vehicle. The collision resulted in injuries to a man in his 60s, requiring approximately one month of recovery.

Honda was indicted in May this year. According to the Japan Swimming Federation, Honda previously reported the accident in July, stating that because it occurred during private time, she believed the matter could be resolved between the parties involved and admitted to a lack of proper awareness regarding the severity of the situation. She has since withdrawn from the upcoming Asian Games in Nagoya.