Most people have been stopped for speeding. Few have done that in a Ferrari, never alone a car they built. One Japanese man experienced the oddity. On October 1, 2022, Yamagata Prefecture Mountains caught industrial designer Kiyoyuki “Ken” Okuyama speeding, according to the Japan Times. Okuyama drove the Ferrari Enzo he helped develop. The speed limit is 40 km/h (25 mph), but Enzo traveled 128 km/h (79 mph). The 63-year-old received a four-month sentence with a two-year hold from the Yamagata District Court. “I’ll prevent this and give back to society.” Okuyama apologized, “I am truly sorry.” He drove quicker to cool Enzo’s engine. His punishment was suspended because he confessed. Okuyama is renowned for being one of Japan’s top artists. Hagerty says the Japanese government has praised him for his “international influence that crosses cultural boundaries.” 1995 Okuyama became Pininfarina’s design leader and designed Ferrari’s first non-Italian car. I was using Enzo. His creations were the first Porsche Boxster, 996-generation 911, and Shinkansen E8-Series bullet train. As this example indicates, Japanese officials have a horrible reputation for speeding, especially in enormous numbers. Even a famous artist must deal with local courts. Avoid being free-spirited on your Pacific excursion.
