Police turned over to prosecutors Thursday a bizarre reckless-driving case involving a freelance reporter and two "bosozoku" motorbike gang leaders.
The 46-year-old reporter from Kodaira, western Tokyo, is suspected of asking the gang leaders -- a 23-year-old woman from Yawata, Kyoto Prefecture, and a 21-year-old man from Kyoto -- to drive recklessly in Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto, for a program aired last year on TV Asahi, police officials said.
The incident is thought to have taken place at around 11:30 p.m. Oct. 12.
The reporter is believed to have told the gang leaders where he would be shooting video footage and asked them to ignore traffic signals.
The leaders then instructed other gang members to speed down the streets, according to investigators.
The journalist has reportedly admitted contacting the gang leaders for the TV program but has denied asking them to drive recklessly. The gang leaders have claimed they sped down the streets because they were asked to, according to police.
Footage of the biker gang was aired Nov. 4 on the "Super Morning" show, with the gang being introduced as having caused trouble in the ancient capital.
Investigators questioned the reporter and the two leaders after gang members arrested on suspicion of breaking the traffic law said they had driven recklessly at the request of those in charge of making the TV program, according to the police.