OSAKA (Kyodo) Osaka-based comedian and TV personality Tamotsu Kuroda was arrested Saturday after allegedly assaulting and injuring a bar manager in a quarrel over a bill late Friday night, police said.
Kuroda, 39, a member of comic duo Messenger, and his 40-year-old friend allegedly punched and kicked the 23-year-old manager in an Osaka bar shortly before midnight. The manager suffered a broken cheekbone.
Police quoted Kuroda as saying he was trying to "intervene in the fight" between the friend, Katsunori Higuchi, and the manager. Higuchi, who was also arrested, was quoted as saying he was entirely responsible for the incident.
The pair came to the bar with two others around 8:30 p.m. and were charged ¥255,000, according to the police. Kuroda and Higuchi were heavily drunk.
A local TV station canceled a variety show program hosted by Kuroda after his arrest.