TOKYO (TR) – The Tokyo District Court has handed 86-year-old television personality and socialite Ratna Sari Dewi Sukarno a 200,000-yen fine for physically assaulting her former manager and another agency employee, reports TV Asahi (Oct. 6).
Appearing in court on Tuesday wearing champagne-gold high heels, the outspoken celebrity — commonly known in Japan as “Dewi Fujin” — was found guilty of two separate counts of assault.
In the first incident, which took place at a Tokyo restaurant, Sukarno threw a rolled-up wet towel (oshibori), chopsticks, and a champagne glass at an agency employee. During the trial, Sukarno revealed the bizarre catalyst for the attack: a disagreement over the consumption of dog meat.
When the employee remarked, “I’m not opposed to dog meat,” Sukarno testified that she completely lost her temper. “I boiled over like an instant water heater and threw the wet towel,” she told the court.
In a separate incident at a veterinary clinic, Sukarno was convicted of punching her then-female manager in the chest and stomach.
“Dangerous criminal act”
While Sukarno admitted to throwing the towel and chopsticks, she vehemently denied hurling the champagne glass. The presiding judge, however, rejected her denial.
“Throwing objects, including a champagne glass, is a dangerous criminal act,” the judge stated in handing down the ruling. The court noted that the attack, triggered by a mere difference of opinion over eating dogs, was “short-sighted” and left no room for leniency, slapping her with the exact fine requested by prosecutors.
“I would be found guilty”
Speaking to TV Asahi in a telephone interview following the verdict, Sukarno remained defiant regarding the details of the restaurant altercation.
“I knew from the beginning I would be found guilty. It’s true I threw the towel, and it’s true I threw the chopsticks. But I am dissatisfied because I absolutely did not throw a champagne glass,” she said.
During the trial, prosecutors pointed out her refusal to voluntarily apologize, suggesting she didn’t believe she was in the wrong. Sukarno pushed back on the claim, stating, “That’s not true. No matter how angry you get, you shouldn’t hit people or throw things.”
Following the sentencing, she offered a slight concession, admitting, “I feel I did something childish.”
However, the 86-year-old socialite couldn’t resist a final jab at her former staff.
“I have my grievances, and if they appeal, I will speak my mind openly,” she said, before offering a word of warning: “You really have to be careful about who you hire.”
