Renowned Japanese actor Ryoko Hirosue was arrested April 8 for allegedly kicking a nurse and causing injury at a hospital in Shimada, Shizuoka Prefecture.

Shizuoka Prefectural Police's Kakegawa Police Station arrested the 44-year-old actor residing in Tokyo's Setagaya Ward on the spot on suspicion of assault. She had reportedly caused a traffic accident and assaulted the nurse at the hospital where she was transported. Police are investigating the detailed circumstances of the incident.

Hirosue is specifically accused of kicking a 37-year-old female nurse and scratching her arm at the hospital at around 12:20 a.m. on April 8. The nurse is believed to have sustained minor injuries. The police have not disclosed whether the suspect has admitted to the allegations.

According to the prefectural police, Hirosue was driving a passenger car on the Shin-Tomei Expressway when she rear-ended a large trailer truck at around 6:50 p.m. on April 7. She was taken to the hospital afterward and is believed to have sustained minor injuries. A man, thought to be her manager, was also in the vehicle with her.

Following the arrest, Hirosue's official website issued a statement saying, "After causing an accident while driving a car, Hirosue temporarily fell into a state of panic at the hospital where she was transported, resulting in injuries to medical personnel." The statement added an apology to the victim and others, saying, "We sincerely apologize from the bottom of our hearts," and announced that she would suspend all entertainment activities for the time being.

Born in 1980 in Kochi, Hirosue debuted in a TV commercial in 1994 and gained popularity through appearances in TV dramas and films. She won the best supporting actress award at the Japan Academy Film Prize for the 1999 film "Poppoya" (railroad man) and the best actress award for the 2008 film "Departures." As a singer, her debut single "Maji De Koi Suru 5byoumae" (5 seconds away from seriously falling in love), which was released in 1997, was a hit.

(Japanese original by Shiho Fujibuchi, Shizuoka Bureau; and Ryo Watanabe, Lifestyle, Science & Environment News Department)