A car plowed into pedestrians in one of Osaka's busiest districts Thursday, leaving two dead and nine injured, including one in critical condition.
The black car hit several people after swerving onto the sidewalk in front of a complex of hotels and shops on the north side of JR West Osaka Station in Kita Ward.
Police identified the driver as Atsushi Ohashi, 51, a company owner from the city of Nara. He was the vehicle's sole occupant and died, they said.
Among the injured, another man in his 50s was confirmed dead and a woman thought to be in her 20s was taken to a hospital in critical condition, police said.
Onlookers were heard screaming as the car ran over people for about 30 meters. It is thought to have come to a stop after crashing into a hotel signboard and flower display, with a man trapped in front of the car.
Immediately afterward, bystanders began helping several people lying on the road with apparent head injuries, while some witnesses sat on the ground in shock.
Police and fire fighters responded to the crash in about 10 minutes.