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.
Prison would be most appropriate.
Not sure that shrine in particular but I do think torii gates in some shrines are replaced somewhat often. At Inari they had business names behind them which I assume are the ‘sponsors’ of that torii, probably they pay to have the gate fixed and I imagine that brings luck to that business. In short, he might have been lucky to deface the least critical part of the shrine.
That’s good at least. I’d hate to think this was a century old (or whatever) torii he defaced.
The toriis at meiji jingu are gigantic. It would unfortunately cost millions to replace one.
Put that fuckin Boomer in prison for 3 years.
Bordering on Gen X but anyone this disrespectful is still a boomer. They need to jail him. A fine is too easy.
I was under the impression that gen x started in the mid 60s, whereas 65 would put this guy at 1959ish
I said bordering for a few reasons. One it is close, i.e. bordering at the change. Two being that I know some people right at that near generational change (same age actually) act way less boomer and more gen x. People aren’t hard lines in the sand like dates. So people born around that generational shift can swing either way. Way more thought than I wanted to explain about an offhanded comment, but there you go.
I could have guessed he was over 60 because he wasn’t live streaming the whole thing. Just an old school asshole, not an influencer.
Americans being dumb cunts. What a surprise.
Like how dumb do you have to be?
… Checks timeline. Oh thats the norm…
