Foreign student in Japan charged for riding electric suitcase without licence
On Wednesday (26 June), police in Osaka, Japan charged a foreign woman for riding an electric suitcase without a license.
According to Sora News 24, the case is the first of its kind in Japan.
She was caught riding the motorised suitcase along a sidewalk in the city earlier in March.
Charged for driving suitcase without licence
The woman’s suitcase can reportedly travel at up to 13 kilometres per hour (km/h).
As a result, they are legally considered motorised bikes, which ‘riders’ need a licence for.
![](https://mustsharenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/charged-riding-electric-suitcase-1.jpg)
Source: Sankei Shimbun
The suitcases are usually intended to be used at the airport.
However, they are not allowed on public roads in Japan as they do not meet safety standards.
![](https://mustsharenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/charged-riding-electric-suitcase-5.gif)
Source: @levi_tranquilo on X
In response to the charges, the woman, a Chinese national studying in Japan, said she did not think she needed a licence to ‘drive’ the suitcase as she didn’t consider it a vehicle.
Suitcase charge confuses even Japanese locals
Even Japanese citizens are scratching their heads over laws concerning smaller motorised vehicles.
![](https://mustsharenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/charged-riding-electric-suitcase-3.jpg)
Source: @cocoapoisoning on X
One commenter wondered why a motorised suitcase cruising at a modest 10 km/h requires a license while electric scooters going at 20 km/h don’t.
Some were also surprised that the suitcase was more like a vehicle than they thought.
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Featured image adapted from Sankei Shimbun and @cocoapoisoning on X.
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