The Tokyo District Court sentenced a man Wednesday to two years in prison for hitting and killing the 10-year-old daughter of TV celebrity Shingo Kazami with his truck in Tokyo in January.
Company employee Masaya Kato, 23, was not paying proper attention when he struck elementary school girl Emiru Oshita while making a turn on Jan. 17, the court said.
The 44-year-old Kazami's real name is Yoshihiro Oshita.
Kato was driving between 15-20 kph when he hit Emiru as she was crossing the street on a green light at a crosswalk, the court said. Prosecutors had demanded three years for professional negligence resulting in death.
Presiding Judge Hironobu Murakami said: "The accident occurred at a pedestrian crossing, which should be the safest place for pedestrians. The accident could have been avoided if the defendant had paid a little attention."
Kazami made his television debut in 1982 in a program featuring popular comedian Kinichi Hagimoto.