Taiwanese actress and TV personality Tsai Yi-chen, known to many fans as Wu Xiong from the popular drama KO One, has been arrested in Japan after allegedly pouring liquid onto a centuries-old national treasure at a historic Buddhist temple in Nara. The case has now drawn attention across Asia—and authorities are reportedly investigating whether similar incidents occurred elsewhere.
The arrest involves one of Japan’s most culturally significant religious sites and a stone monument known as the Buddha Footprint Stone, or Bussokuseki, housed at Yakushiji Temple in Nara.
According to Japanese police reports cited by multiple media outlets, Tsai was arrested on Aug. 22, 2026, after arriving at Kansai International Airport. Authorities allege that during a visit to Yakushiji Temple on April 6, she poured liquid onto the monument, leaving visible marks. The temple is part of the UNESCO-listed Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara.
Police Say Surveillance Footage Led to Her Arrest
Japanese investigators reportedly identified Tsai through security camera footage after temple staff discovered traces of liquid on the stone and contacted police.
Reports from Japanese media, including coverage cited by Kyodo News and other outlets, say the substance was found to contain glycerin, a colourless compound commonly used in cosmetics and other products. Tsai was later arrested on suspicion of violating Japan’s law protecting cultural properties after she re-entered the country.
The incident has attracted particular attention because the Bussokuseki is designated as a National Treasure and is regarded as an important Buddhist cultural relic. Yakushiji Temple itself is internationally recognised as part of the UNESCO World Heritage listing for Ancient Nara.
Her Reported Explanation Has Raised More Questions
According to CNA Lifestyle and Japanese news reports, Tsai allegedly acknowledged pouring liquid on the monument and told investigators that pouring oil on objects that emotionally move her is part of how she prays.
CNA reported that she allegedly told police she had carried out similar acts at other locations in Japan, potentially widening the scope of the investigation. Japanese media have likewise reported that authorities are examining whether other cultural properties could have been affected.
That detail has transformed the story from a single alleged incident into a potentially broader investigation.
However, it is important to note that Tsai has been arrested and the case remains under investigation. An arrest does not amount to a conviction, and the final legal findings will depend on Japanese authorities and the courts.
Manager Says Team Has Been Unable to Contact Her Directly
In a statement posted on Aug. 24, Tsai’s manager apologised for the concern and inconvenience caused by the incident but said the team was still unable to contact the actress directly.
According to the statement reported by CNA Lifestyle, her family and a lawyer in Japan were helping the team understand the situation, while the manager asked the public to allow the legal investigation to proceed without speculation based on unverified information.
Why This Case Is Making Headlines Across Asia
For many viewers, Tsai is not an unfamiliar name. She is known for her work in Taiwanese entertainment, including an appearance in the hit 2015 film Our Times, while fans of earlier Taiwanese dramas may recognise her as Wu Xiong, a character associated with the KO One franchise.
But the celebrity angle is only part of why this story has gone viral.
At the heart of the case is a larger issue: the protection of cultural and religious heritage. Japan treats designated cultural properties as historically significant assets, and allegations involving a National Treasure can carry serious legal and public consequences.
The reported incident has also sparked intense debate online about cultural respect, religious practices and the responsibilities visitors have when entering sacred and historically protected spaces.
What Happens Next?
Japanese authorities are continuing their investigation, while Tsai’s representatives have said they will refrain from further comment until more information becomes clear.
For now, the key facts remain that authorities allege liquid was poured onto the Buddha Footprint Stone at Yakushiji Temple, surveillance footage reportedly helped identify Tsai, and she was arrested when she returned to Japan months later. The precise legal outcome—and whether investigators will pursue allegations involving other locations—remains to be seen.
As the investigation continues, one question is now driving the story’s next chapter: Was this an isolated alleged act—or will Japanese authorities uncover more?
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