The 65-year-old reportedly admitted he ‘wrote his family members’ names’ on the wooden pillar

Summary

Steve Lee Hayes, a 65-year-old American tourist, was arrested in Tokyo for allegedly carving family members’ names into a wooden Torii gate at the Meiji Shrine.

Surveillance footage led police to his hotel, where he was detained.

Hayes admitted to the act, which could result in up to three years in prison or a fine of 300,000 yen ($1,900).

The Meiji Shrine, a significant Shinto site, was built in 1920 to honor Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken. The incident occurs amid a surge in international tourism to Japan this year.

  • Queen HawlSera@lemm.eeEnglish
    2·
    3 hours ago

    Well, it’s kind of an open secret that you’re not allowed to say anything bad about any non-white majority country that isn’t China or North Korea on American Television.

    Not saying that’s a bad thing, in fact before that little “rule” was in place we got shit like “Tokyo Jokey-o” so I full understand the bias in favor of only focusing on the positives.

    • Mwa@lemm.eeEnglish
      3·
      2 hours ago

      Ohh they got a rule for it, that would make sense.