Taiwan actress apologises after Nara temple stone case
SingTao · 1 SOURCESabout 1 hour ago5 MIN
Summary
Taiwanese actress Tsai Yi-chen (蔡宜臻), also known by the stage name “Wu Xiong”, said on Instagram on September 3 that she had been released the previous evening after completing the relevant investigation procedures in Japan. The case centres on allegations that she splashed oil on the National Treasure “Bussokuseki”, or Buddha Footprint Stone, at Yakushi-ji Temple, a World Heritage site in Nara, in April. SingTao reported that she was said to have been fined 500,000 yen, about HK$25,000, and released after paying the amount. In her statement, she apologised to Yakushi-ji, to Japanese society and to people in Taiwan, saying she had no excuse for her ignorance
Key Points
- SingTao said Tsai Yi-chen, whose real name was given as Tsai Yi-chen and who is known as “Wu Xiong”, was accused over an April incident at Yakushi-ji in Nara
- The temple is described as a World Heritage site, and the damaged object was identified as the National Treasure “Bussokuseki”, or Buddha Footprint Stone
- She was arrested when she re-entered Japan in August, according to the report, which also cited an NHK account broadcast on September 3
- In an Instagram statement posted on September 3, she said she was released on the evening of September 2 after Japan-related investigative procedures ended
- She said she had cooperated with investigators, truthfully explained the matter, and learned she should better understand other countries’ culture, history and laws
Why It Matters
The case has drawn attention because it involves a public figure, a protected cultural property and cross-border conduct at a major Japanese heritage site. For Hong Kong readers travelling to Japan, the episode is a reminder that actions at temples and historic sites can carry legal consequences as well as public backlash