Three elementary students were struck by a car in Japan, in an incident that has shaken the local community. The children, fortunately, survived with minor injuries and are in stable condition. The driver, who was responsible for the accident, has been apprehended by the authorities. Local police are investigating the matter further while aiming to improve pedestrian safety around school areas.

Road safety, particularly around schools, is a highly sensitive issue in Japan. The country generally boasts one of the world's best transportation safety records, rendering such incidents particularly shocking. The public sentiment is primarily of concern for the students and disappointment in the driver. Legally, if convicted, the driver could face stringent sanctions under Japan's traffic laws.

Similar to Japan, incidents like this one involving children and traffic are treated very seriously in the US or EU. Laws strictly enforce traffic rules especially around education institutions. The difference lies in how the justice proceedings carry out – American or European courts may apply serious legal punishments to reckless drivers, depending on the state/country and its specific laws.