Australian Man Filmed Vandalizing Cemetery in Japan

Sep 03, 2025 | News On Japan

YAMANASHI, Sep 03, 2025 (News On Japan) - A video showing a foreign man desecrating a cemetery in Japan has triggered widespread criticism on social media and led the Australian Embassy in Tokyo to issue a rare warning.

The footage, posted online on August 4, shows an Australian visitor wandering through a cemetery in Fujikawaguchiko, Yamanashi Prefecture. Holding a can of alcoholic drink left as an offering, he gulped it down before clinking the empty can against a gravestone in a mock toast.

The man, speaking in the video, remarked, "If you died angry, may you have your revenge."

Further videos posted on separate days revealed additional misconduct. He was seen twirling a sotoba—a wooden tablet placed to honor the dead—while at other times brandishing what appeared to be a toy gun, and even touching a rabbit figurine believed to be an offering.

Despite mounting criticism online, the man showed no remorse, stating, "What I did at the cemetery is being widely talked about, but I don’t care at all. I actually like the video."

Local residents expressed shock, saying, "Unbelievable—why would anyone do this?" and "Offerings belong to our ancestors. It’s unthinkable."

The videos also captured other reckless behavior, including the man climbing onto the railing of a bridge and diving into Lake Kawaguchi, a stunt that could easily have caused an accident.

According to lawyer Koji Mizokami of Hashimoto Sogo Law Office, the acts could carry serious penalties: "Consuming offerings can be treated as theft, punishable by up to 10 years in prison or a fine of up to 500,000 yen. Damaging a sotoba may result in up to three years in prison or a fine of up to 300,000 yen."

Police have confirmed they are aware of the videos circulating online and are proceeding with necessary investigations.

The Australian Embassy, in a statement to the press, said it had urged visitors to respect Japanese laws and customs: "Incidents such as this are increasing, and based on a comprehensive assessment we decided to issue this warning."

Source: FNN

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