Wu Xiong Involved in Japan National Treasure Oil-Splashing Incident? 4 Identity Clues Match Perfectly – Religious Controversy and Arrest Details

Taiwanese actress Wu Xiong (Tsai Yi-chen, real name Tsai I-chen) has unexpectedly become entangled in a scandal involving the vandalism of a Japanese national treasure. On August 22, Nara Prefectural Police arrested a 39-year-old Taiwanese woman accused of pouring liquid on the national treasure 'Buddha's Footprint Stone' inside the main hall of Yakushi-ji Temple in Nara earlier this year in April. The suspect admitted to the act, telling police she has a habit of 'pouring oil in prayer' whenever she feels moved by something. Japanese media reports revealing her name, age, occupation, and travel timeline closely match Wu Xiong’s public information, quickly igniting discussions in Taiwan. Adding fuel to the fire, Wu Xiong has openly discussed her Christian faith in the past, and former church associates have now come forward to speak about past religious conflicts, further amplifying the incident.

The incident dates back to April 6, when, according to police investigations, a woman entered the main hall of Yakushi-ji Temple at around 1:20 PM and poured liquid onto the 'Buddha's Footprint Stone,' leaving visible stains. The temple reported the damage after noticing the stains did not disappear. Police reviewed surveillance footage and analyzed the residue, identifying glycerin as a key component. They eventually identified a woman who had already returned to Taiwan. This stone is no ordinary temple carving—it is a stele inscribed with the footprint of Buddha, over 1,200 years old, and one of Japan’s oldest surviving Buddha footprint stones, designated as a national treasure. As such, the case is being investigated not as simple vandalism, but under Japan’s Cultural Properties Protection Law.

After four months of investigation, a breakthrough occurred when the suspect re-entered Japan on August 22. Police arrested her upon arrival at Kansai International Airport. Japanese media identified her as a 39-year-old Taiwanese woman named 'Tsai I-chen,' who described her occupation as 'hosting.' This combination—'39 years old,' 'Tsai I-chen,' 'hosting work,' 'from Taiwan'—immediately led Taiwanese netizens to connect her to Wu Xiong.

Wu Xiong’s stage name is Tsai Yi-chen, but her legal name is indeed Tsai I-chen. Born on August 23, 1987, she turned 39 this year. She entered the entertainment industry through the show '100% Entertainment' and has starred in dramas such as 'KO One,' 'KO One Re-act,' and 'It Started with a Kiss.' She has also hosted programs like 'Travel Walker,' 'Men's Chef,' and '100% Entertainment,' aligning with the 'hosting' profession mentioned by Japanese media. Crucially, Wu Xiong shared posts on social media in April about her trip to Japan, making the timeline match. Despite these strong coincidences, Japanese authorities have only released the suspect’s personal details without officially confirming she is the actress Wu Xiong. Wu Xiong herself has not publicly confirmed or denied involvement.

After the suspect told police she 'pours oil in prayer when moved,' Wu Xiong’s religious background resurfaced. She has long been open about her Christian faith, reportedly linked to the New Life Fellowship Church. When she won a Golden Bell Award in 2015, she thanked God on stage. She met her husband, Chang Hao-yu, at church, and faith plays a central role in their relationship. While some Christian denominations practice anointing with oil or 'anointing prayers,' this cannot be equated with randomly splashing liquid on public cultural assets. One’s religious beliefs should not be used to justify damaging heritage.

On August 24, a livestreamer named Chen Hsing, who once shared church activities with Wu Xiong and her husband, spoke out. Chen said they once served together but drifted apart due to differences in religious beliefs and practices. She claimed the couple made decisions based on 'receiving visions,' which hurt team members, and she eventually unfriended them. Upon hearing the news, she said she was 'not surprised at all.' Chen also mentioned disputes over trips to Beijing, but these claims remain one-sided as Wu Xiong has not responded.

After the news broke, Wu Xiong’s Instagram and Facebook were flooded with comments. Some asked if she was the arrested woman, while others mocked the 'oil-pouring prayer' claim with puns like 'left my mark here with oil.' Reports suggest she deleted some social media posts, further fueling speculation. However, deleting posts alone cannot be taken as evidence of guilt, and no official source has linked the deletions to the case.

Wu Xiong’s sister, Tsai Han-tsen, responded through her agency, stating she only learned about the incident from the news and is still gathering information. This marks the first public comment from Wu Xiong’s family.

Since the 'Buddha's Footprint Stone' is a national treasure, the legal consequences are severe. Under Japan’s Cultural Properties Protection Law, damaging or concealing important cultural properties can lead to up to five years in prison or a fine of up to 1 million yen. However, the final verdict, charges, and sentencing will depend on the extent of damage, repair feasibility, and whether the suspect’s claim of 'no intent to destroy' is accepted. Police have confirmed glycerin contamination, but whether irreversible damage occurred remains under investigation.