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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Japanese tourist held after disrupting flight

Associated Press

DETROIT – A vacationing Japanese businessman has been charged with disrupting an international flight by yelling, spilling water and bumping a flight attendant after finding a hair on his blanket, officials said.

Kaichiro Tsunemi, 58, was arrested Friday and made a brief court appearance. He was released on bond.

Authorities said Tsunemi started yelling, swearing and pouring water on the seats and floors after finding the hair on the May 6 Northwest Airlines flight from Osaka, Japan, to Detroit.

He also threw things into the aisle, bumped a flight attendant and verbally abused someone who was trying to interpret for him, FBI Agent Edward Wray said in an affidavit.

Tsunemi was questioned in Detroit after the disturbance but was allowed to continue to Orlando, Fla., where he planned to visit Disney World with his wife and a tour group, authorities said. He was arrested in Detroit on his way back to Japan.