Taiwanese actress-host Deborah Tsai Yi-chen has been arrested by Japanese authorities for splashing liquid on a stone monument at a temple there.
According to Japanese media, the 39-year-old allegedly poured a liquid containing glycerin onto Bussokuseki (Buddha’s Footprint Stone), a national treasure at the Yakushiji Temple in Nara on April 6.
She was identified through surveillance footage after temple staff discovered traces of liquid on the stone and alerted the police.
While Yi-chen had left the country by then, she was arrested when she visited Japan again on Aug 22.
She was nabbed at at Kansai International Airport.
The actress told the police during investigation: “Since I pour oil on things that move me when praying, I think I poured oil on the Buddha’s footprint stone”.
In a statement on Yi-chen’s Facebook account on Aug 24, her manager said: “The incident is currently under investigation by Japanese authorities and at this stage, it is impossible to contact her directly. The situation is currently being handled by her family members and lawyers.
“As there is limited information available at the moment, we are unable to provide a detailed explanation or response regarding the incident.
Her manager also apologised, requesting time and space during this period.
Yi-chen, who made her debut in 2005, is best known for her performance as Tsai Wu-xiong in Taiwanese idol drama series KO One (2005, 2012 and 2015), as well as Xia Ya in Summer x Summer (2007).
She married her non-celebrity partner in 2020 and welcomed their first child, a boy, in October 2025.
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yeo.shuhui@asiaone.com
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