‘No excuse for ignorance’: Taiwan actress Tsai Yi-chen fined and apologises for staining Japan temple stone
Taiwanese actress Deborah Tsai Yi-chen has been fined 500,000 yen for vandalizing a national treasure at Japan's Yakushiji Temple. The actress apologized for her actions, citing ignorance of cultural and historical significance.
Why it matters
The incident highlights the legal and social consequences of disrespecting cultural heritage sites, particularly for public figures.
Taiwanese actress-host Deborah Tsai Yi-chen has broken her silence and apologised over the vandalism of a treasured stone monument at the Yakushiji Temple in Japan in April.
The 39-year-old was fined 500,000 yen (RM12,938.50) on Sept 2 for pouring liquid on a stone engraved with lines representing Shakyamuni Buddha’s footprint at the temple in Nara on April 6. The stone monument is designated as a national treasure, Kyodo News reported.
She was identified by the Japanese police through security camera footage, and was arrested in Osaka prefecture when she re-entered Japan on Aug 22, Kyodo News said.
Her manager apologised for the incident on Aug 24 and said on social media then that the actress was uncontactable.
Tsai disclosed on social media late on Sept 3 that she had been released on the evening of Sept 2 after investigations in Japan were concluded.
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