American Tourist Arrested for Defacing Tokyo Shrine with Fingernails
A 65-year-old American tourist, Steve Lee Hayes, was arrested in Tokyo for allegedly vandalizing the Meiji Shrine by carving his family members' names into a wooden pillar with his fingernails. The incident occurred during a family trip, and Hayes was identified through surveillance footage. He faces up to three years in prison or a fine of 300,000 yen for the damage. The Meiji Shrine, a significant Shinto site, has seen increased tourist visits in 2024.
