> After he managed to get hold of my wife (she gave him
> some advice) we arranged that he would call and I
> would give him my details over the phone.

ROTFL!
Your Japanese wife gave the policeman "some advice"?!
She was probably very apologetic to keep the damage bearable. Women won't
talk tough to the police. If I was the cop, you'd have learned it the hard
way. Cops are very allergic when being asked questions for IDs and such,
when they are 100% right...