If you grew up watching Taiwanese idol dramas in the 2000s, the name Wu-hsiung might ring a bell.
Taiwanese actress and TV host Tsai Yi-chen (蔡宜臻), 39, who is also known as Wu-hsiung (五熊), Tsai Yi-chen under the characters è”¡é ¤æ¦›, and Deborah Tsai, has been arrested in Japan over an alleged incident involving a national treasure at a temple in Nara.
Japanese police allege that on 6 April 2026, Tsai poured a colourless liquid onto the Bussokuseki, or Buddha Footprint Stone, inside the Great Lecture Hall at Yakushiji Temple.
The temple is one of the Buddhist temples included in UNESCO’s Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara World Heritage site.
Tsai has admitted to pouring the liquid, according to Japanese police as reported by Japanese media. However, the case remains under investigation and she has not been convicted.
CCTV Allegedly Showed Her Pouring Liquid From A Small Bottle
The alleged incident happened at about 1.20pm on 6 April.
Temple staff later discovered marks on the stone and police were called. Japanese reports said four marks measuring roughly 1cm to 2cm were found.
Police subsequently identified Tsai through security camera footage.
Japanese media, citing investigators, reported that the footage showed her holding and shaking a small bottle before pouring liquid onto the stone.
Tests found that the colourless liquid contained glycerin, a substance commonly used in cosmetics. Other Japanese reporting said the liquid Tsai carried for prayer had a floral scent.
Tsai was visiting Japan as a tourist at the time. She later left the country, and police continued their investigation.
When she entered Japan again on 22 August, police arrested her at Kansai International Airport in Osaka Prefecture on suspicion of violating Japan’s Act on Protection of Cultural Properties.
She Told Police She Was Praying For Her Family And World Peace
According to police statements carried by Japanese media, Tsai admitted the act and explained that pouring oil formed part of the way she prayed.
She was quoted by Kyodo as saying: “Since I pour oil on things that move me when praying, I think I poured oil on the Buddha’s footprint stone.”
Japanese reports also cited police as saying Tsai told investigators that she had been praying for her family’s health and for world peace.
She reportedly said she had poured similar liquids at other places in Japan before, prompting police to investigate whether other cultural properties could have been involved.
Police also said she was carrying liquid used for prayer when she was arrested.
On 24 August, Tsai left the local police station at about 1.15pm Japan time as the case was sent on to prosecutors. Yomiuri TV subsequently published her full name and a photograph of her face, identifying her as a former Taiwanese actress who currently works as a host and entertainer.
The Stone Dates Back To 753
The object involved is not just an old rock sitting inside a temple.
According to Yakushiji’s official website, the Buddha Footprint Stone depicts what is traditionally regarded as the footprint of Shakyamuni Buddha.
An inscription dates it to the year 753, during Japan’s Nara period. The temple describes it as the oldest surviving Buddha footprint stone in Japan.
Japan’s Agency for Cultural Affairs database lists the stone as a national treasure, while Yakushiji keeps it inside its Great Lecture Hall.
That makes it about 1,273 years old in 2026.
Tsai Is Best Known For KO One
For Taiwanese drama fans, Tsai is best remembered for playing the character Wuxiong in the hit idol drama KO One, which began airing in 2005.
Her association with the role was strong enough that “Wu-hsiung” became one of the names by which she was widely known.
She later appeared in other television productions and moved into hosting, with credits including programmes such as Super Taste-style travel show iWalker, Chef, and 100% Entertainment.
In other words, this is a face that quite a number of older millennials who went through the Taiwanese idol-drama era may recognise.
Her Manager Says They Still Cannot Contact Her Directly
On 24 August, Tsai’s manager issued a statement through her Facebook page.
The manager said Japanese authorities were handling the investigation and that Tsai’s team had still been unable to contact her directly.
Information about her situation was instead being obtained through her family and a lawyer in Japan.
The statement said the team would not comment on details while information remained limited, both to respect the investigation and to avoid spreading unverified claims.
Her manager also apologised for the public concern and inconvenience caused by the matter, and said a further statement would be made when more information was available and doing so would not interfere with proceedings.
The apology was not an admission of criminal liability.
Yakushiji Says It Will Continue Protecting Its Cultural Assets
On 25 August, Yakushiji also issued a brief response following the arrest.
The temple thanked the authorities involved for their efforts in dealing with the case and said it would continue working to protect its cultural properties.
Meanwhile, Japanese police are continuing to investigate Tsai’s statements about similar acts elsewhere.
Under Article 195 of Japan’s Act on Protection of Cultural Properties, a person convicted of damaging, discarding or concealing an Important Cultural Property can face up to five years of detention or a fine of up to Â¥1 million, roughly S$8,000.
That is the maximum punishment provided by the law. Tsai has not been convicted, and the investigation and prosecutorial process are still ongoing.
