Tokyo’s street karts come under fire as man arrested for arson attack
Tokyo police have apprehended a 28-year-old man in connection with an alleged attempted arson at a tourist go-kart company in the capital’s Koto Ward.
Yuga Matsuoka, an employee at a leasing company and a resident of Nerima Ward, was arrested on Wednesday and has reportedly confessed to the crime, citing extreme stress caused by the noise from the go-karts.
The incident took place around 4:40 a.m. on June 21st.
Matsuoka, whose workplace warehouse is situated adjacent to the go-kart company’s premises, is believed to have entered the property after completing his work shift.
Authorities allege he attempted to ignite a container used for industrial waste, which subsequently resulted in damage to three parked go-karts and the exterior of a warehouse belonging to his own employer.
Fortunately, no one was present at the go-kart company at the time of the fire, which was quickly noticed by a patrolling security guard who then alerted emergency services.
This incident highlights the tension between the street go-karting tourist attractions and the concerns of local residents.
These go-karts, often styled to resemble vehicles from the popular “Mario Kart” video game series, have become a significant draw for foreign tourists seeking a unique way to experience Tokyo’s bustling streets.
Operators typically rent out these vehicles, with the company involved in this incident owning approximately 70 go-karts.
For many visitors, these rides are considered a memorable part of their Japanese travel experience.
However, the popularity of these go-kart tours has been accompanied by a surge in complaints regarding traffic violations, reckless driving, and most notably, excessive noise.
The Tokyo Metropolitan Police reported receiving over 100 complaints specifically related to go-kart activities in 2023 alone.
Residents in areas where these tours operate frequently express frustration over the constant engine noise, particularly in residential zones, leading to calls for stricter regulations.
In response to such concerns, Shibuya Ward, a popular destination for these tours, began requiring new go-kart rental operators to register and provide details like routes and safety protocols from July 1st, 2025, though these regulations currently lack punitive fines for non-compliance.
Authorities are also investigating a prior incident that occurred in May, which is likely linked to the recent arson attack.
A threatening note, written in English, was discovered placed on top of parked karts at the same company.
The note explicitly warned that someone would “burn the go-karts if the engines were started.”
This threat suggests a premeditated nature to the recent attempted arson and highlights the extreme frustration some individuals feel towards the noise pollution generated by the tourist activity.
The ongoing investigation will likely further look into the sequence of events and seek to confirm the potential links between the May threat and the June 21st attempted arson.
Source: JiJi
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