The violent scuffle and eventual arrest was captured on camera by an eyewitness.
Whether you’re the CEO of Nissan or a senior citizen stealing a single roll of toilet paper from a public toilet, you don’t want to get on the wrong side of the law in Japan.
Not only does an arrest usually result in a lengthy stay in a police detention centre, but the arrest itself can cause a scene that has the potential to go viral online, as police officers employ taiho-jutsu “arresting martial art” techniques, using brute force to restrain non-compliant individuals.
Case in point is this video which is currently doing the rounds online. Filmed by Twitter user and Uber Eats delivery driver @anju_tokyo, the video shows one man attempting to fend off six officers who, instead of using guns, tasers, or pepper spray, employ the unarmed fighting styles of taiho-jutsu to restrain and arrest him.
The incident occurred at the Starbucks inside the Tsutaya Books complex opposite Nakameguro Station in Tokyo’s Meguro Ward on 10 October. At the time of the arrest, a number of passersby stopped to watch the scene as it unfolded, with some taking photos from outside the cafe.
Police cars stopped on both sides of the street outside the station as more officers arrived at the scene.
Inside the cafe, the suspect violently attempted to break free from the hold of the police officers, kicking and even biting one of them. Despite his aggressive behaviour, the officers were able to restrain the man, eventually placing him in handcuffs after the struggle. Once he was handcuffed, an officer called out “police!” several times, before asking “Do you speak Japanese?” The man replied in English, saying, “I’m trying to help, you’re not helping me.”
Though it remains unclear why the man was arrested, @anju_tokyo, who was at the cafe before the police arrived, said the man was quarrelling with a woman in English before the incident. By resisting arrest and biting and kicking officers, it’s likely the man now faces charges that include: obstructing officers from official duties, which comes with a maximum of three years imprisonment or a 500,000 yen fine, criminal damage, which can result in a maximum of three years imprisonment or a 300,000 yen fine, or assault, which comes with a maximum sentence of 15 years imprisonment or a 500,000 yen fine.
This all goes to show that no matter where you come from, or how petty the crime may seem, Japan is not the place to get on the wrong side of the law.
Source: Matomedane, Breaking News Japan
Featured image: Twitter/@anju_tokyo