KANAGAWA (TR) – Kanagawa Prefectural Police have arrested 76-year-old Yokohama City councilman Mitsuru Kajimura on suspicion of assaulting a emale employee of a bar in the city, reports NHK (Apr. 29).
At just after 11:00 p.m. on Monday, Kajimura allegedly kicked the left leg of the 45-year-old female bar employee inside the establishment in Fukutomicho, Naka Ward.
The employee suffered minor injuries, police said.
Upon his arrest, Kajimura denied the allegations. “I didn’t kick the [woman],” he said.
Earlier that night, Kajimura had been drinking at the bar, which provided entertainment to go along with alcohol.
Just before the incident, the councilman was presented with a bill for 120,000 yen. However, he left after paying only 50,000 yen.
He allegedly kicked the woman after she chased after him. Police officers who rushed to the scene arrested him on the spot.
Police are currently investigating the circumstances that led to the incident.
According to the Yokohama City web site, Kajimura is currently serving his seventh term. He served as city council speaker from 2015 to 2017.