Our Times actress Tsai Yi-chen arrested in Japan for allegedly pouring oil on temple monument

Taiwanese actress Tsai Yi-chen, known for her role in the 2015 film 'Our Times,' was arrested on August 22 at Kansai International Airport in Osaka, Japan. The arrest stems from allegations of vandalizing a temple monument during a previous visit to the country. On April 6, Tsai, 39, reportedly poured oil on a stone monument at Yakushiji Temple in Nara City, leaving dark marks. Yakushiji Temple is part of the Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Japanese news outlets reported that Tsai admitted to the act, telling police that she prays by "pouring oil on things that move [her]." She allegedly also informed authorities that she had performed similar actions at other locations in Japan. Tsai's manager issued a statement on August 24, apologizing for the incident and noting that direct contact with the actress was still not possible. The manager stated that the situation was being investigated by Japanese authorities and requested respect for the legal process, refraining from further comment to avoid misunderstandings. The actress had previously been in the news in 2023 for falling victim to a tourist scam in Singapore.

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The incident is currently being investigated by the relevant authorities in Japan in accordance with the law. At this stage, we are still unable to contact her directly, and we are learning about the current situation with the assistance of her family and a local lawyer in Japan.