It was the first arrest over violence against such a patroller since designated people in the private sector started cracking down on illegal parking under the revised Road Traffic Law on June 1.

The police said part-time worker Tomohiko Kondo kicked the 36-year-old male patroller after being chided for trying to illegally park a motor scooter June 5.

Kondo was charged with obstruction of official duties as the patroller is deemed a quasi-public employee, the police said, adding the patroller sustained no injuries.

The Japan Times Weekly: June 10, 2006
(C) All rights reserved