Central Japan assembly OKs Japan's 1st ordinance to fine abusive customers

TSU, Japan - The central Japan prefecture of Mie on Friday enacted the country's first ordinance to impose penalties on abusive customers, such as fines of up to 500,000 yen ($3,170) or penal detention if they fail to follow a prohibition order.

The ordinance, to take effect next April, designates certain acts as instances of "customer harassment," such as making prolonged or repeated demands for money, goods, apologies or meetings.