Taiwan actress held over oil poured on Nara relic
SingTao · 2 SOURCESabout 1 hour ago2 MIN
Summary
Taiwanese actress Tsai Yi-chen, whose former stage name was Wu Xiong, was arrested in Japan over alleged damage to the National Treasure Buddha Foot Stone at Yakushi-ji Temple in Nara. Police said the liquid poured on the stone was confirmed to be colorless, transparent glycerin, a substance commonly used in cosmetics. Japanese media reports cited by local outlets said surveillance footage showed her praying, shouting “world peace,” and then pouring the liquid onto the relic during an April visit
Key Points
- Police said Tsai admitted the act during questioning and said she applies oil to things that move her as a form of prayer
- She also told investigators she had carried small bottles of scented prayer liquid and poured oil to pray for her family’s health and world peace
- The incident took place on April 6 at Yakushi-ji Temple in Nara, where CCTV allegedly captured her shaking a bottle before pouring liquid on the Buddha Foot Stone
- Investigators had identified her through surveillance footage earlier, but arrested her only after she re-entered Japan on the 22nd via Kansai International Airport
- Police said she mentioned similar acts at other locations in Japan, and authorities are expanding the probe to see whether other cultural properties were affected.
Why It Matters
For Hong Kong readers who frequently travel to Japan, the case is a reminder that conduct framed as personal ritual can still trigger criminal liability when cultural heritage is involved. It also shows how cross-border travel does not prevent arrest once investigators have identified a suspect and the person re-enters the jurisdiction