Japanese netizens upset Taiwanese actress fined only S$4,052 after staining 1,200-year-old national treasure

Japanese netizens are furious over the comparatively mild punishment handed down to Taiwanese actress Tsai Yi Chen for damaging a 1,200-year-old national treasure. The actress, Tsai, was fined only S$4,052 after pouring a liquid containing glycerin onto the Buddha Footprint Stone at the Yakushiji Temple in Nara on April 6. Police identified Tsai when surveillance footage showed her shaking a small bottle and subsequently pouring the liquid onto the artifact.

She admitted the offense during questioning, explaining that she had a habit of rubbing oil on things and praying, which apparently included the Bussokuseki. Tsai was arrested upon landing at Kansai International Airport on August 22 and paid the fine on September 2. Despite her apology, Japanese netizens remained unsatisfied, criticizing the leniency of the fine and calling for stricter penalties and entry bans for foreigners. Some also questioned Tsai's history of similar offenses.