NEWS ON JAPAN
 
Dozens of geisha and their apprentice "maiko" took a class in the art of self-defense for protection against unwelcome attention while walking alone on dark, deserted streets at night.
Local police taught the 50 or so attendees, who included local residents, how to break free of an attacker who grasps their arms or the sleeves of their kimono.
The session was held at the Yasaka Kurabu theater in the city's Higashiyama Ward on Dec. 17.
 
"I want to practice what we learned today so that we can put the techniques into practice," said 17-year-old Mamekiku recalling that a man once tugged at her sleeve from behind on a street.