The Tokyo Metropolitan Police awarded a commendation to taxi driver Kosei Iwasaki after he rescued an intoxicated man lying in a city street.

The incident highlights the critical danger of "road-lying" in urban areas, where incapacitated pedestrians risk being struck by vehicles during late-night or early-morning hours.

Iwasaki, 57 [1], works for Kokusai Jidosha. In June 2026, he discovered a man lying on the road who appeared to be drunk. Iwasaki secured the area to protect the individual and contacted emergency services via 110 to prevent a traffic accident.

"When I looked closer, it was a person—a man lying down—and I thought I had to respond immediately," Iwasaki said. He attributed his quick reaction to ongoing training and guidance regarding the increase of people lying on roads as weather becomes warmer.

While some reports place the incident in Ota Ward, other sources identify the location as Chiyoda Ward. Regardless of the specific district, the Tokyo Metropolitan Police recognized the act as a vital intervention that saved a life.

Makoto Okabe, the chief of the Kojimachi Police Station, emphasized the severity of such situations. "Lying on the road can lead to serious traffic accidents, and in the worst case, it can result in the loss of a precious life," Okabe said. He urged the public to never sleep on the roadway due to the extreme danger.

Data from Tokyo shows that 18 people were reported lying on the road through June 2026 [4]. Of those incidents, two resulted in deaths [5].

Reports on the commendation ceremony vary. While some accounts focus on Iwasaki, other reports state that three taxi drivers were awarded commendations by the police [6].

“"I thought I had to respond immediately," Iwasaki said.”

The incident underscores a persistent public safety challenge in Tokyo's dense urban environment, where intoxication and heat can lead to life-threatening pedestrian behavior. The police's decision to formally commend a commercial driver suggests a strategic effort to encourage vigilance among professional drivers who are often the first to encounter such risks during night shifts.