Brighton winger Kaoru Mitoma hit a cyclist with his car while driving in Tokyo, his management company said, adding that the player «felt apologetic» after the incident.
Mitoma missed the World Cup after suffering an injury while playing in the Premier League, less than a week before Japan announced its squad for the tournament.
The 29-year-old’s management said he collided with a cyclist at 8.45am on Wednesday.
The cyclist was taken for a medical check and found to have bruises, while Mitoma was unhurt.
Mitoma management said the incident occurred because the player “could not observe the road ahead.”
“Immediately after the accident, he checked the condition of the other party and followed the instructions of the police officers who arrived on the scene,” the statement said.
Mitoma management said it would «like to extend its deepest and most sincere apologies to the person who suffered injuries in the accident, as well as to all those affected».
“Mr Mitoma himself takes this accident very seriously and feels sympathetic and apologetic to the person affected,” it added.
Local police declined to comment when contacted by AFP.
According to reports in Kyodo News and other media, Mitoma was suspected of running a red light.
Mitoma was left out of Japan’s World Cup squad after suffering a hamstring injury during Brighton’s 3–0 win over Wolves on 9 May.
He is one of Japan’s best players and scored the winner in the 1-0 friendly win over England at Wembley in March.
Japan lost 2-1 to Brazil in the first knockout stage of the World Cup in North America.
Published on July 9, 2026
