Upset feelings in Japan after a social media influencer consumes a burial site offering on Instagram

In a series of unfortunate events, an Australian tourist named Lochie Jones has caused public outrage in Japan after a video of him drinking from an offering at a Japanese burial site was posted on social media.

The act, considered disrespectful and offensive in Japan, sparked widespread anger online, with many expressing their disappointment and disapproval. Jones, a tourist known for his adventurous spirit, flipped a coin to decide whether to open a beverage left as an offering at the burial site.

The video, posted last month, shows Jones burping in front of the grave after drinking from the offering. His actions were met with immediate backlash, prompting him to post an apology on Instagram on Tuesday.

This incident comes at a time when an unprecedented number of tourists are flocking to Japan. The influx of tourists has led to concerns over over-tourism and immigration, with the "Japanese first" Sanseito party making strong gains in an upper house election this year.

Another US livestreamer, Ismael Ramsey Khalid, also found himself in hot water recently. He repeatedly shouted "Fukushima" to construction workers and harassed train passengers, leading to his arrest by Japanese police for allegedly trespassing onto a construction site.

In response to these incidents, the Australian embassy in Japan issued a warning on Facebook for travellers to ensure "appropriate behavior" while visiting Japan. The embassy works closely with Japanese authorities to ensure that travellers from Australia respect and observe local laws and rules.

However, when contacted by Agence France-Presse (AFP), the Australian embassy did not respond to a request for comment. One Twitter user expressed a desire for the Australian government to prevent Lochie Jones from entering Japan again.

Meanwhile, another Australian tourist, Fidias, a YouTuber with 2.4 million subscribers, posted a video of free-riding in Japan in 2023 and later apologized. His actions, while not as offensive as Jones's, still raised concerns about the behaviour of some tourists in Japan.

A town near Mount Fuji also mounted a large barrier to deter photo-taking at a popular viewing spot due to people venturing into the road. The barrier was put up to ensure the safety of tourists and locals alike.

These incidents serve as a reminder for all tourists to respect local customs and laws when visiting other countries. It is essential to remember that our actions can have a significant impact on the communities we visit.