HK man arrested after head-on collision in Aso, Japan, injuring two including child

A 56-year-old Hong Kong man has been arrested following a head-on collision in Aso, Kumamoto Prefecture, on Tuesday afternoon that left two people injured, including a child.

The incident occurred around 3pm on National Route 212 in Aso's Uchinomaki area when the man, identified as Yang Kamen, allegedly crossed the center line in his rental car and collided with an oncoming light vehicle. The 64-year-old female driver of the other vehicle and her 6-year-old grandson in the passenger seat sustained injuries.

According to local television station KKT, the Hong Kong resident had arrived in Japan several days earlier for tourism and was carrying four passengers in his rental vehicle at the time of the accident. Japanese police arrested him on suspicion of negligent driving causing injury, though the man denied the charges and reported having no memory of the incident.

Aso City's Aso-Kuju National Park, established in 1934 as one of Japan's first national parks, features an active volcanic caldera at Mount Aso that attracts tourists for hiking, outdoor activities, and hot springs. Limited public transportation in the area makes rental cars the preferred option for most visitors exploring the region.