Two Japanese tourists were detained in China following a “prank” at the Great Wall that sparked public outrage, authorities confirmed on Friday. Reports indicate that a man exposed his buttocks while a woman took photos, leading to their immediate arrest by security guards.
Japan’s Foreign Ministry said the two were detained on Jan. 3, 2025, and held for about two weeks before being released and returning home later that month. The Japanese embassy in Beijing did not respond to requests for comment.
The tourists were taken into custody on the spot by security guards after the man allegedly exposed his buttocks in public. According to Chinese law, such acts are illegal and considered indecent behavior. Reports suggest the pair later told Japanese officials they intended it as a prank, not an insult.
A Japanese man in his 20s was detained for violating Chinese law by exposing his buttocks and taking indecent photos while visiting the Great Wall of China. He has now been deported. The man said, “There is no intention to insult, it’s just a joke.”#Japan #China #Greatwall
pic.twitter.com/rj0TkYAv8X
— George Taso Tsien (Mutual Following
) (@TasoTsien) March 14, 2025
Local authorities did not disclose further details about the case, but sources say the tourists were held under administrative detention, a common practice for minor legal violations in China.
The incident quickly gained widespread attention in China, where memories of Japan’s occupation in the 1930s and 1940s remain a sensitive subject. Public reactions were swift, with many expressing outrage on social media.
The hashtag translating to “Japanese man and woman detained for indecent behavior at the Great Wall” has been viewed more than 60 million times on Weibo. Many top comments condemned the tourists, with some using inflammatory language against Japanese people.
Two Japanese
tourists (a man and a woman) were deported for violating Chinese law by taking pictures of their genitals leaking out in public on the Great Wall.
Japanese tourists, if you visit China, please respect our culture and morals. pic.twitter.com/qpR9zRotqG— ShanghaiPanda (@thinking_panda) March 14, 2025
Prominent Chinese actor Chen Yitian, who has over 7 million followers, criticized their actions, calling them “shameful” and saying such behavior disrespects a national landmark.
China enforces strict public decency laws, and incidents of foreign visitors violating local customs often attract strong reactions. While similar cases involving tourists have occurred in other countries, tensions between China and Japan can amplify public responses.
This case highlights the ongoing sensitivity surrounding Japan’s historical presence in China. Incidents like these, even if unrelated to politics, can reignite past grievances and fuel nationalist sentiment.
Neither the Chinese government nor the Japanese embassy provided further statements on the case. Diplomatic relations between China and Japan have historically been complex, often influenced by political disputes and public sentiment.
Though the tourists have since returned home, the backlash from this incident underscores the importance of respecting local customs and laws, especially at culturally significant sites.
