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.
What?
My main point was that I don’t think this guy deserves 5 years in jail or a permanent travel ban, what other commenter here have stated they want for him. He deserves what he got until now, yes, and what the court will likely order: a fine, no jail time, because this offence is minor.
Why do you then go on a tirade? Is even mentioning the Emperor cult in the context of a Meji shrine racist, or what triggered that response?
I appreciate you at least phrasing that tirade with “you sound like”, but then you drop that and say that I objectively am misinformed and have a hate boner. Why even quantify the first part with subjectivity if you won’t keep it up? Also, I need a few more reasons why you would write this.
A strange response all around.