Beppu Hit-and-Run Suspect Yoichi Hatta Still at Large After 4 Years

By Danny Kontos

June 16, 2026

01:31 AM

3 min read

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Key Points

Yoichi Hatta, 29, remains a fugitive wanted for murder in a 2022 Beppu hit-and-run.

Police released new full-body and sunglasses photos taken when Hatta was 21 and 22 years old.

The collision killed one 19-year-old male university student and injured another on June 29, 2022.

Oita Prefecture Police seek public tips as the case marks its fourth anniversary.

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Police in Oita Prefecture released new photographs of Yoichi Hatta on June 15, seeking public help to locate the fugitive wanted for a fatal hit-and-run in Beppu. Hatta, now 29, struck two motorcycles with a car on June 29, 2022, killing one 19-year-old male university student and injuring another. He remains at large and faces murder charges.

Two New Photos Released to Aid Search

The Oita Prefecture Police unveiled two new photographs of Hatta to boost public awareness. One shows his full body at age 21, the other captures him wearing sunglasses at age 22. Police said the images aim to help the public recognize his overall build and appearance. The new photos appear in updated flyers distributed to media and the public.

Details of the 2022 Incident

On June 29, 2022, Hatta drove a light passenger vehicle and struck two motorcycles stopped at a traffic light on a prefectural road in Beppu. The collision killed one male university student, age 19 at the time, and injured a second male student. Hatta fled the scene and has evaded capture for four years.

Why Police Released the Images Now

The Oita Prefecture Police Criminal Investigation Division chief Hiroki Fukuoka stated that releasing full-body and sunglasses photos would increase public tips. The timing coincides with the approaching fourth anniversary of the crime on June 29. Police hope fresh images will prompt witnesses or anyone with information to come forward and aid the investigation.

Ongoing National Manhunt

Hatta remains on Japan’s national wanted list for murder and related charges. The Oita Prefecture Police continue to seek information from the public about his whereabouts. Police urge anyone with knowledge of Hatta’s location or activities to contact local authorities immediately.

Final Thoughts

Four years after killing a university student in a hit-and-run, Yoichi Hatta remains a fugitive. Police released new photographs to boost public awareness and encourage tips leading to his arrest.

FAQs

What crime is Yoichi Hatta wanted for?

Hatta faces murder charges for a June 2022 hit-and-run in Beppu that killed one university student and injured another.

How long has Hatta been on the run?

Hatta has evaded capture for four years since the June 29, 2022 incident in Beppu, Oita Prefecture.

Why did police release new photos on June 15?

Police released updated photos to boost public awareness and generate tips as the case approaches its fourth anniversary on June 29.

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About Author

Danny Kontos

Co Founder

Danny Kontos has been a stock investor since 2007 and co-founded Meyka in 2023. He keeps a small, focused portfolio and only moves when the numbers are hard to argue with. He has waited years on a single position before. Before Meyka, he ran a web hosting company and a mortgage lending platform, so he knows what a well-run business actually looks like under the hood. This article did not come from a news cycle. It came from someone who has been watching this space for a long time.