Ryoko Hirosue Surrenders Driver's License Following Traffic Accident

Japanese actress Ryoko Hirosue, 46, has recently disclosed that she voluntarily relinquished her driver's license in the wake of a highway accident last year.

The Japanese women's magazine Josei Seven reported on October 8 that Hirosue visited a Tokyo live house on the afternoon of the 1st. After her engagement, she was driven away in a luxury sedan by her 22-year-old son, who has been serving as both her manager and chauffeur since this summer, displaying somewhat novice driving skills.

An industry insider revealed, "Hirosue and her son were at the venue to discuss an upcoming reading live event scheduled for mid-October. This event, which had been canceled due to Hirosue's accident last year, is being revived at the organizers' request. Hirosue is diligently rehearsing to meet expectations."

In April of last year, Hirosue was involved in a collision on the Shintomei Expressway while driving at speeds exceeding 180 km/h, resulting in injuries to her passengers. She was subsequently arrested for assaulting a nurse at the hospital where she was taken. While the assault charges were dropped, she received a summary order to pay a fine of 700,000 JPY (approximately 4,690 USD) for violating the Road Traffic Act.

The source added, "Following the incident, Hirosue disclosed her diagnoses of bipolar disorder and hyperthyroidism, leading to a hiatus from her entertainment activities. After settling the fine and concluding legal proceedings, her health began to improve. She announced her return to work in April this year, exactly one year after the incident."

Since her comeback, Hirosue's July birthday concert sold out instantly. In September, she became the face of an IT company, and she's set to grace the cover of an art book in December, her first in nearly two years. Her son is committed to supporting Hirosue both personally and professionally.

Another industry insider noted, "Hirosue's son bears a striking resemblance to her, with a neat appearance and a model-like physique standing over 180 cm tall. There was talk of him entering showbiz, but after returning from studying abroad, he chose to support his mother by becoming her manager."

The son's first priority was obtaining his driver's license. A law enforcement source stated, "Hirosue voluntarily surrendered her license post-accident. While driving anxiety may have played a role, she likely believed this action would be viewed favorably during her case review."

However, her son only received his license in September. During our investigation, no beginner driver signs were visible on the vehicle. Hirosue, seated in the passenger seat, removed her shoulder belt shortly after fastening it. The agency responded to Josei Seven, confirming Hirosue's license surrender and stating, "We've verified that Hirosue did not wear her seatbelt correctly. She deeply regrets this oversight, as seatbelts must always be worn properly. We will ensure strict adherence to traffic regulations moving forward."

Regarding the missing beginner driver sign, the agency apologized: "We acknowledge that as a new driver, Hirosue's son should have displayed the sign. This oversight was addressed on October 2, and he is now complying with the requirement. We sincerely apologize for this lapse."

Ryoko Hirosue is renowned for her roles in "Railway Man" (1999) and the Academy Award-winning foreign film "Departures," which garnered her recognition in Korea as well.

It's worth noting that Hirosue was embroiled in a major infidelity scandal last year, causing significant upheaval in the entertainment industry.