A nine-year-old child has been reported severely injured after being hit at a pedestrian crossing in Japan. The exact location and circumstances surrounding the accident remain undisclosed. Japanese authorities are investigating the tragic incident while emphasizing the importance of road safety, particularly with respect to child pedestrians.

In Japan, road safety is taken very seriously, especially when it involves children. Towards this end, the national and local governments have taken measures such as introducing traffic education in schools. When accidents such as this occur, it often sparks significant debate about further necessary measures to prevent consequent unfortunate incidents.

In the U.S. or EU, similar incidents often result in extensive discussions around individual and governmental responsibilities for ensuring road safety. Different locations have different rules for traffic safety, but vehicle drivers are generally expected to be extra cautious around pedestrian crossings.