Taiwanese Woman Accused of Pouring Oil on National Treasure

Aug 23, 2026 | News On Japan

NARA - A 39-year-old woman from Taiwan has been arrested on suspicion of pouring an oil-like liquid on the national treasure Buddha Footprint Stone at Yakushiji Temple in Nara in April, police said.

The suspect, Yi-Chen Tsai, 39, who describes herself as working as an emcee, was arrested at Kansai International Airport on August 22 after re-entering Japan.

Police said Tsai has admitted to the allegation.

She told investigators that she performs prayers by pouring oil on things that move or inspire her, and said she believes she also poured oil on the Buddha Footprint Stone as part of such a ritual.

Source: TBS

Typhoon Nos. 20 and 18 Approach Okinawa in Succession

Two typhoons are approaching Okinawa in succession, with Typhoon No. 20 (Kenari) already affecting the Sakishima Islands with heavy rain and strong winds while the much stronger Typhoon No. 18 (Soudelor) is forecast to intensify further before passing near the Daito Islands and Okinawa's main island later this week. As of 5 a.m. on August 23, Typhoon No. 20 was north of Yonaguni Island and moving south-southwest. The storm is expected to maintain typhoon strength through August 24.

Taiwanese Woman Accused of Pouring Oil on National Treasure

A 39-year-old woman from Taiwan has been arrested on suspicion of pouring an oil-like liquid on the national treasure Buddha Footprint Stone at Yakushiji Temple in Nara in April, police said.

Death Row Inmate Executed for Deadly Pachinko Parlor Fire

Japan executed 58-year-old death row inmate Sunao Takami on August 21 for setting fire to a pachinko parlor in Osaka in 2009, killing five people and injuring 10 others, in the first execution carried out under the Takaichi administration.

Japan to Abolish Cool Japan Fund

Japan's government is moving toward abolishing the Cool Japan Fund, a public-private investment vehicle created to support the overseas expansion of Japanese anime, food culture and other industries, after its cumulative losses reached 54 billion yen.

Four Workers Killed After Being Struck by Spacia X Train in Tochigi

Four workers were killed after being struck by the limited express train Spacia X while carrying out vegetation-clearing work at Shin-Kanuma Station on the Tobu Nikko Line in Kanuma, Tochigi Prefecture, on August 20, prompting an investigation by the Japan Transport Safety Board.

MEDIA CHANNELS

MORE Society NEWS

Woman Arrested Over Poisoned Muffin

A 46-year-old woman employed at a chemical-related company has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after allegedly giving a muffin containing the designated deleterious substance acrylamide to a 30-year-old male acquaintance in Kyoto, police said on August 22.

Another Accident on Kobe's Notorious Hill

Another serious accident has occurred on a steep, prolonged downhill stretch of Prefectural Route 95 in Kobe, where authorities have repeatedly warned drivers about the risk of brake fade, a potentially dangerous loss of braking power that can affect ordinary passenger cars as well as large trucks.

Nepalese Student Found Dead in Fukuoka River

A Nepalese vocational school student found dead in a river in Fukuoka city had multiple injuries on her arms believed to have been sustained while trying to protect herself, leading police to suspect she was attacked repeatedly with a strong intent to kill.

Princess Aiko Makes First Visit to Shiga

Princess Aiko made her first visit to Shiga Prefecture on August 21, touring facilities previously visited by Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako, viewing exhibits at the Lake Biwa Museum and trying the Paralympic sport of boccia for the first time.

Questions Raised Over Police Interrogations After 16-Year-Old Girl's Death

A 16-year-old girl who repeatedly insisted she was innocent died months after an 18-day detention and interrogation left her suffering from an eating disorder and severe psychological trauma, while other people have come forward alleging troubling investigative practices by the same police station.

Four Workers Killed After Being Struck by Spacia X Train in Tochigi

Japanese Man Poses as Foreigner in Convenience Store Robbery

A 32-year-old Japanese man has been arrested on suspicion of attempting to rob a convenience store in Oizumi, Gunma Prefecture, after allegedly posing as a foreigner and demanding money in broken Japanese while threatening the store manager with a knife.

Princess Aiko Arrives at Osaka Museum to View Girl With a Pearl Earring

Princess Aiko, the only daughter of Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako, arrived at the Nakanoshima Museum of Art in Osaka on the afternoon of August 20, where she was scheduled to view Johannes Vermeer's masterpiece Girl With a Pearl Earring during a two-day visit to Osaka and Shiga prefectures.

< 2 3 4 5 >