Australian embassy urges respectful conduct after tourist desecrates Japanese grave in viral video

The Australian embassy in Japan has urged travellers to show cultural sensitivity following a viral video of an Australian tourist drinking a beer offering at a Japanese grave near Aokigahara forest.

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AI-Generated Summary
  • An Australian tourist sparked outrage after drinking a beer offering at a Japanese grave in Yamanashi.
  • The Australian embassy in Japan issued a statement urging cultural sensitivity and cooperation with local authorities.
  • Japanese police have opened an inquiry, while the tourist’s apology included controversial and conspiratorial remarks.

A formal statement from the Australian embassy in Japan has urged visitors to behave respectfully and observe local customs, following widespread outrage over a video showing a tourist consuming a grave offering near the Aokigahara forest.

The video, originally posted in August by Instagram user Lochie Jones, shows him entering a cemetery in Yamanashi prefecture and approaching a headstone with a can of Kirin beer placed as an offering.

Jones flips a coin before opening the beer and drinking it on camera. “Happy blessings and rest in peace,” he says after drinking, followed by a loud burp. He then places a pack of Marlboro cigarettes on the grave and leaves.

In a widely criticised monologue, Jones commented on mental health issues in Japan, stating, “Suicide in Japan is a serious f****** issue,” and making derogatory generalisations about Japanese men and women. His remarks were described by many online as offensive and culturally insensitive.

The act drew sharp condemnation from viewers, with numerous social media users highlighting the profound disrespect of consuming grave offerings. In Japanese culture, offerings such as food and drink are meant to honour the spirits of the deceased and are not meant to be taken or disturbed.

One commenter wrote, “Imagine going to another country to disrespect people’s graves and steal the offerings left for loved ones. Very depraved behaviour.” Another noted, “What you did is not just bad manners, it’s deeply disrespectful.”

On 2 September, 2025, the Australian embassy released a public statement in response to the incident.

“The Australian Embassy, Japan, works closely with Japanese authorities to ensure that travellers from Australia respect and observe local laws and rules. We encourage appropriate behaviour when visiting Japan,” it stated.
“We take these matters seriously, acting in cooperation with relevant authorities."

Japanese media reported that the Fuji Yoshida police precinct in Yamanashi has launched a formal inquiry into the incident. Authorities are currently “verifying the facts” of the video and investigating whether any criminal laws were violated.

In response to the backlash, Jones issued a statement of apology via Instagram.
“Look, if you felt I desecrated your dead, I am sorry. It was a mistake. I’m coming clean. I shouldn’t have portrayed that,” he wrote.

However, the apology was followed by a separate post in which Jones made a series of inflammatory and conspiratorial statements, criticising Japanese culture and alleging that it was being influenced by sinister forces.

He claimed Japan was subject to a “large scale hive mind” controlled by a “predatory reptilian system,” and made unsubstantiated allegations regarding cultural norms in Japan.

The second post drew further backlash, with commenters accusing him of deflecting responsibility and reinforcing harmful stereotypes rather than acknowledging the gravity of his actions.

Local authorities have not confirmed whether charges will be filed, but cultural experts have emphasised that interfering with grave offerings is deeply taboo and could fall under laws related to theft or property damage, depending on local statutes.

Tourism professionals and cultural liaison officers in Japan have stressed the importance of understanding local customs, especially in sacred or religious sites. The incident has reignited debates about tourist conduct in Japan, where record numbers of international visitors have returned since the lifting of COVID-19 travel restrictions.

Japan has long maintained that cultural etiquette is a vital part of any visit. Graveyards and shrines are considered sacred spaces, and rituals associated with honouring ancestors are regarded with deep reverence by many Japanese families.

The Australian embassy’s response reflects a broader diplomatic effort to ensure respectful and informed conduct from its nationals abroad.

As of 4 September, the original video remains online, though many comments have since been restricted. There has been no further statement from Jones, and Japanese authorities have not issued a formal timeline for the conclusion of their inquiry.

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