Kaoru Mitoma was involved in a car accident in Tokyo after his vehicle collided with a cyclist at an intersection in Itabashi Ward.
Japanese reports say the incident happened at around 8:30 a.m. after Mitoma entered the intersection against a red light.
The Brighton winger then collided with a bicycle carrying a 48-year-old woman. Medical staff took the woman to hospital after the collision.
Doctors expect her injuries to take around two weeks to heal. As per the report, Mitoma focused on the pedestrian traffic light turning green before entering the intersection.
The incident comes during a difficult period in the winger’s career after injury denied him the chance to represent Japan at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Mitoma suffered a major hamstring injury and that setback ended his club season early. Before the injury, he played an important role for Fabian Hurzeler’s Brighton side during the 2025-26 campaign.
The Japanese international scored three goals and registered one assist in 25 Premier League appearances. Mitoma joined Kawasaki Frontale in 2020 and immediately made an impact.
He recorded 30 goal involvements during his first professional season in Japanese football.
Brighton signed him in 2021 before sending him to Union SG in Belgium for further development.
After returning to England, Mitoma established himself as one of the Premier League’s most dangerous left-wingers. He also played a major role for Japan at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
Mitoma featured in all four matches and produced the famous assist against Spain that helped Japan reach the knockout stages.
The latest incident has now placed the Brighton winger in the headlines for very different reasons.
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