Police in Mobara, Chiba Prefecture, have arrested a 34-year-old dentist on suspicion of assault after he punched a taxi driver in the face and then fled without paying the fare.
According to police, the incident occurred at around 1:30 a.m. Sunday. Police said the dentist, Katsutoshi Inagaki, was drunk at the time and started to get out of the taxi without paying the 1,800 yen fare, Fuji Tv reported. When the 68-year-old driver tried to stop him, Inagaki punched him in the face and ran away.
Inagaki was quoted by police as saying he doesn't remember anything about the incident and that he has nothing to talk about.
© Japan Today
30 Comments
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sensei258
"I was drunk and don't remember a thing" The ubiquitous reason for poor behavior
smithinjapan
"I was drunk and don't remember!" Ah, Japan.
MsDelicious
There are as many dentists in this country as hair dressers and dry cleaners. They do not make a lot of money. Actually, hair dressers do better. Look at the prices of a simple perm.
I hope the guy waits at least twelve hours after drinking to go into his office.
weisse
Nothing to talk about, I am sure the cops are going to have a great time questioning him. Deplorable old drunk man using to classic excuse.
gogogo
Only in Japan being drunk is an excuse.
Aly Rustom
What a twat. He's a dentist. Its not like he can't make ends meet..
Garthgoyle
If he did indeed punch the taxi driver and left without paying, the name of his clinic and location should be named in the media. Maybe that would hurt his profits.
Alistair Carnell
Refused to pay ¥1800, perhaps I should try that, the next time the dentist gives me a bill for ¥10,000
SenseNotSoCommon
The most popular multiple choice answer on the charge sheet?
The cognitive dissonance of an otherwise law-abiding citizen (with a position of trust in the community) will shut out assault and robbery PDQ.
I do hope he gets a custodial sentence as a deterrent. We're hearing too many of these incidents.
Jason Santana
1,800 yen fare!!! That's it. Obviously he wasn't going very far. In his position he will never see jail. He will simply have to give a formal apology and probably pay a fine.
Thunderbird
This country makes me hate the word "alcohol" sometimes. Or most of times.
FightingViking
@sensei258
I would have chosen "shocking behaviour" especially for a person of his standing...
@MsDelicious
I guess that explains why a dentist (in Tachikawa) I once knew, is the owner of more than 30 race horses which he has kept for him in America + several dozen horses over here in Japan ?
DaDude
My money is on Inagaki Dental Clinic near Mobara, Chiba with his father probably being the clinic's owner.
commanteer
The dentist is 34 years old, not quite as old as the 68 year old driver he punched.
MsDelicious
He should be made to give the driver free dental care for the remainder of his life.
wtfjapan
nothing more pathetic than a person that needs to get drunk , or cant drink in moderation. weak minded fools. Just another reason I dont drink.
Bill Murphy
"I was drunk and don't remember!"
Bill Murphy: At least the taxi driver didn't say this.
Weisse: "I am sure the cops are going to have a great time questioning him. Deplorable old drunk man using to classic excuse."
commanteer: "The dentist is 34 years old, not quite as old as the 68 year old driver he punched".
Righteeoo, commanteer, and you are lenient about his age. "Old drunk man"? 34 y.o. is old?
turbotsat
As long as the 'Chiba dentist' doesn't provide it personally. :)
Strangerland
Except that it's not.
pumpkin31526
The ubiquitous get out of jail free card....I dont remember anything, Im not going to talk about it. Works every time.
A.N. Other
That's one dentist who certainly knows the drill.
SaikoPhysco
When the Driver smiled at him and asked for the money..... he could see work had been done, but not his.
Yumster100
@strangerland,
Except that it's not.
You should just give up. This idea has been dismissed countless times and yet we have here posting the same thing over again. There's a point where you just have to shake your head at some people for not being able to understand such an easy concept and let it go. Either they're too ignorant or they refuse to accept it because they want to believe in what they think on what is correct.
descendent
@Yumster100
Nah, he's just so predictable. It's like watching the dog salivate when you ring the bell. Atavistic, but fun to watch for some reason. You just gotta to shake your head at people who keep repeating the same patterns over and over.
Yumster100
@descendent,
At least strangerland is correct while the other's are just mindless zombies who pounce on the same thing over and over despite being completely incorrect. Those same people are more predictable and ironically will cry how the Japanese can never think critically due to its education system.
sensei258
Except for me, I said "reason" not excuse
Tokyo-Engr
Anyone else old enough to remember when in Japan being drunk was considered a legitimate excuse for a traffic accident?
puregaijin
I find that language offensive on a public forum.