Georgian ambassador to Japan's car involved in traffic incident

Tokyo police are investigating a possible assault against the driver of Georgian Ambassador to Japan Teimuraz Lezhava.

The ambassador's driver called the police at around noon on July 14, saying that a man had grabbed him by the collar near the Georgian Embassy, NHK reports.

Police and the embassy quote the driver as saying that the man pulled over in front of the ambassador's vehicle and opened the door on the driver's side.

A video posted on Lezhava's Twitter account shows the man thrusting his arm into the ambassador's car.

Neither the ambassador nor the driver was injured.

Police believe there was some kind of traffic dispute involving the two vehicles. They are interviewing the man to find out more.

Speaking to reporters later on July 14, Lezhava said the man grabbed the driver, then thrust his arm toward him as he filmed the scene from the back seat.

Lezhava said the man was shouting, "Which country are you from?" so he must have been aware that he was dealing with members of a diplomatic mission.

He said he doesn't know whether he was targeted or not, but added that violence cannot be tolerated under any circumstances.

The ambassador added that respect for others is important and essential in the international community.