A recent fad has seen tourists invited to drive around the Japanese capital dressed as characters from the hit racing game Mario Kart.

A loophole in the Road Transport Vehicle Act means that go-kart drivers are not required to wear seatbelts or helmets.

The transport ministry is now introducing stricter regulations which also mean go-karts will require headrests, direction indicators, rear-view mirrors, mudguards, and a red light one metre from the ground.

The moe follows a spate of recent accidents involving the karts.