By Daily Mail (U.S.) | Created at 2024-11-20 21:02:50 | Updated at 2024-11-23 20:14:00
2 days ago
An American father was arrested in Japan after he allegedly carved his family's names into a sacred wooden shrine with his fingernails.
Steven Lee Hayes, 65, was taken into custody on November 13 after the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department captured him on camera the day before allegedly defacing the entrance to the Meiji Shrine in Tokyo’s Shibuya ward, according to authorities.
Hayes, who arrived in the county on November 11 with his family, allegedly 'carved alphabet letters' into a wooden pillar with his fingernails at the traditional Japanese torii gate, NBC News reported.
The alleged incident occurred around 11.15am local time on November 12, as surveillance footage allegedly captured him using his fingernails to mark the pillar.
The Japan Times later reported that Hayes admitted he 'wrote his family members' names' in the wood.
He was soon arrested at a Tokyo hotel the following afternoon, as authorities believe he committed the alleged crime 'as an act of mischief,' according to the outlet.
The Meiji Shrine is dedicated to the spirits of Emperor Meiji and his wife, Empress Shoken.
It first opened in 1920, but was later destroyed during the Tokyo air raids of World War II.
Steven Lee Hayes, 65, was arrested on November 13 after the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department captured him on camera allegedly sketching his family members' named into the Meiji Shrine
The Meiji Shrine (pictured), located in Shibuya, Tokyo, is dedicated to the spirits of Emperor Meiji and his wife, Empress Shoken
The shrine was then rebuilt in 1958 and is known to be visited by many world leaders and politicians, including the former German Foreign Minister Guido Wasterwelle, former U.S. President George W. Bush, and former U.S. Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton.
The entrance to the shrine features large wooden gates, known as torii's, which have curved beams.
If convicted, Hayes faces up to three years in prison or a fine up to 300,000 yen ($1,918 USD) for the alleged vandalism.
It is unclear exactly where in the U.S. Hayes is from and if he is still in custody.
DailyMail.com contacted the U.S. Embassy in Japan and the U.S. Department of State.
Hayes also admitted to the allegations, saying he 'wrote his family members' names' that day. It is unclear exactly where in the U.S. Hayes is from and if he is still in custody
Signs have since been erected near the entrance of the shrine that state: 'Heartless deeds of damaging the Torii gate with scratches have occurred recently.
'It is truly regrettable that we have to enclose the Torii gates by a fence to protect them,' it said, with the statement '[Security cameras in use]' on the bottom.
News of Hayes' arrest comes after a string of similar incidents occurred in Japan.
In September, police told CNN that a 61-year-old Austrian man was arrested for reportedly having sex on the grounds of a shrine in Kesennuma - a town just outside of North Tokyo.
The outlet reported that earlier this year, views were blocked for local residents in a small town located at the base of Mount Fuji after tourists left behind heaps of trash.
The visitors also 'ignored traffic rules,' despite signs and security guards posted in the area.
Last year, a 17-year-old Canadian teenager was questioned over allegedly carving name into a wooden pillar at a UNESCO-listed temple in Nara, police said, according to CNN.
Signs have since been erected near the entrance of the shrine that deter tourists from damaging the sacred shrine
UNESCO is a list distributed by the World Heritage Convention, which includes popular places across the globe, including many U.S. National Parks, Australia's Great Barrier Reef, and The Great Wall of China, among others.
In January, another American man was arrested at Japan's Haneda Airport after allegedly biting a flight attendant's arm in a drunken rage.
He was later named by Japanese outlet TBS News as 55-year-old Michael Travis Halyard - a top U.S. sex therapist.
Halyard allegedly forced the flight to return to Tokyo on its route to Seattle, and was promptly arrested after the ANA Airlines jet landed on the runway.
He reportedly told investigators that he took sleeping pills and 'doesn't recall at all' his alleged antics on the flight, which left the hostess mildly injured.
Prosecutors later declined to press charges over the incident.
