Swinging a Sotoba and Eating Offerings: Interview with a Foreign Man Involved in Misconduct at a "Japanese Cemetery." His Apology with a Smile Raises Questions About "Cultural Boundaries."

A video has gone viral showing a foreign man visiting Japan drinking an offering of canned chuhai and pulling out a sotoba (a wooden grave marker) to wave it around in a cemetery believed to be in the area of Fujikawaguchiko Town, Yamanashi Prefecture. The video has drawn strong criticism. Television reports confronted the man on site. Although he apologized, he smiled, raising doubts about the sincerity of his remorse. The police are aware of the online footage and are verifying the facts, while the Australian Embassy in Japan has issued an unusual warning. This incident highlights the Japanese cultural practice of "respecting the deceased and gravesites," and serves as an opportunity to consider how to communicate cemetery etiquette to visiting tourists and foreign residents, the legal risks such as the crime of disrespecting places of worship (Article 188 of the Penal Code), and ways to maintain trust in regional tourism. This article provides a comprehensive explanation in Japanese for foreign readers about the background, culture, laws, and practical guidelines related to this issue.