CAPE ELIZABETH — Toshiyuki Shimada, the conductor of the Portland Symphony Orchestra, remains free on his own recognizance following his arrest on a misdemeanor assault charge for allegedly hitting his wife.

Shimada, 46, struck Eva Virsik-Shimada with his hand during an argument, Police Chief David Pickering said Tuesday. The injury did not require medical treatment.

An officer was sent to the couple’s home Monday afternoon in response to a call from Virsik-Shimada, who said she had been assaulted, Pickering said.

Virsik-Shimada, 42, refused to give a written statement, the chief said, but police made the arrest as required by state law when they believe a domestic assault has taken place.

Shimada is to be arraigned on the charge March 24. Simple assault carries a maximum penalty of a year in jail, a year’s probation and a fine, but District Attorney Stephanie Anderson said a typical sentence for a first offense would be a suspended jail sentence with probation and a requirement for counseling.