Japanese Politician Says Tourists Are Kicking Nara’s Deer. But Where’s Her Evidence?

Takaichi Sanae, a senior Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) lawmaker, has sparked controversy for comments accusing foreign tourists of mistreating Nara’s deer. When pressed, however, she was able to provide little evidence for her assertion. Other politicians and even reporters criticized her for singling out foreigners.

The remarks

At her campaign speech on the 22nd, the day the LDP leadership race was announced, Takaichi raised concerns about the treatment of Nara’s deer by some foreign visitors. “There are outrageous people who kick them with their feet,” she said.

“If visitors come from abroad and intentionally harm what Japanese people cherish, then something has gone too far.”

She also cited cases where tourists were seen hanging from shrine torii gates as though they were horizontal bars. “If foreigners take pleasure in trampling on the feelings of the Japanese, then something must be done,” she added.

Takaichi emphasized her personal connection to the issue. “As a woman of Nara, I cannot help but care about the more than 1,460 deer living in Nara Park.”

The former minister is also a candidate in the LDP leadership race to succeed outgoing leader Ishiba Shigeru. The LDP dominates Japanese politics, making its next leader highly likely to become Japan’s prime minister.

The evidence for Takaichi’s accusation is threadbare. At the Japan National Press Club debate on the 24th, Takaichi insisted, “I personally confirmed it,” when asked about evidence. She added, “I want to tackle the quietly growing unease and anger among many Japanese people and improve the situation.”

Nara Park deer and their cultural symbolism

Authorities designate the deer in Nara Park as a national natural monument, and harming them violates cultural property law. About a year ago, Nara Prefectural Police received a report of someone kicking a deer and issued a warning.

In April 2025, Nara Prefecture revised its urban park regulations to explicitly ban harmful acts toward Nara’s deer.

Many visitors associate Nara tourism with the park’s freely roaming animals. According to legend, the gods of Kasuga Taisha arrived riding white deer, making them sacred “goshinroku.” Authorities protect these deer as national natural monuments, and people consider them symbols of Nara.

When someone kills or injures a deer, authorities enforce cultural property law. For example, in 2010, police arrested a man who killed a deer with a crossbow, and in 2021, another man killed a deer with an axe. Both men received convictions under the cultural property protection law.

Around July last year, a video allegedly showing someone kicking a deer circulated on social media. The prefecture and police urged the public to avoid harming the deer, issuing warnings in English and Chinese. Subsequently, social media claims that foreigners assaulted deer prompted calls for stronger enforcement from authorities.

Meanwhile, prefectural officials maintain that no hitting or kicking has been confirmed. Daily patrols by park staff, Nara Deer Preservation Society members, and visitors have reported no direct assaults.

Officials do note “inappropriate acts,” such as throwing deer crackers or roughly shooing deer from food. The prefecture is increasing public awareness campaigns to prevent such mistreatment.

Political backlash and debate over Takaichi’s statements

Takaichi also received backlash from peer politicians over her remarks.

Koike Akira, secretary-general of the Communist Party, criticized Takaichi, saying her comments “stoke prejudice and xenophobic debate against foreigners.”

Renhō, a lawmaker from the Constitutional Democratic Party, expressed her discomfort on X (formerly Twitter) on the 24th. She wrote that violence against deer is unacceptable for both foreigners and Japanese citizens.

Renhō also criticized Takaichi for citing deleted social media footage as evidence. She said the issue should be addressed regardless of who becomes LDP leader. She added, “No matter who becomes party president, I will prepare parliamentary questions,” signaling a confrontational stance.

Renhō further proposed reviewing Japan’s approach to foreign visitor policies from scratch. “Every year, we accept people whose culture differs greatly from ours. We must reconsider this policy,” she said. She urged politicians to focus on broader issues, such as overtourism, tourist manners, and wildlife protection. She said the debate should not single out deer in one region or target foreigners.

Takaichi’s broader foreign policy and “Japan First” agenda

Sanae Takaichi is a conservative and nationalist politician known for emphasizing “Japan First” policies. She frequently champions stricter immigration rules and tighter oversight of foreign visitors. Critics argue her stance can be discriminatory, singling out foreigners for scrutiny. Her right-wing supporters say she protects Japanese culture and social norms.

In addition to her recent comments on foreigners attacking deer at Nara Park, Takaichi has also drawn attention for comments on foreign crime in Japan. At the same campaign speech, she claimed police often cannot prosecute cases due to translation delays.

Prosecutors rejected this claim, saying they have never encountered cases without interpreters. Officials from the Japan Federation of Judicial Interpreters also said her statement did not reflect reality. They explained that non-prosecution usually occurs only for minor offenses or insufficient evidence.

Police data show that about 12,000 foreigners were arrested last year, while 14,000 interpreters—including private contractors—were active nationwide.

Why make such a roundabout argument? Because the facts don’t back up the notion of a “foreigner crime wave” in Japan. Data shows that, excluding immigration violations, foreign residents commit crimes at around the same rate as Japanese citizens.

Thankfully, reporters questioned Takaichi’s foreign policy stance directly. They noted that foreign residents follow rules and contribute economically, and that inbound and skilled worker programs began under the Abe administration. Reporters suggested that before fueling public anxiety, politicians should calmly explain policies and address concerns.

Social media campaigns against foreigners result in real-world damage

Takaichi’s remarks reflect broader domestic debate over foreign policy. Since the July Upper House election, right-leaning parties emphasizing “Japan First” have gained support. Calls to restrict foreign inflow have grown louder in political circles.

In response, all five candidates in the LDP leadership race have indicated plans to tighten regulations on foreigners. This marks the first time that immigration policy has become a central issue in an LDP leadership contest.

The social media campaign against foreigners has caused havoc and shut down several initiatives meant to foster understanding and goodwill. Recently, for example, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) announced the withdrawal of its “Hometown” program. The initiative promoted exchange with Africa, but false social media claims spread fears of a sudden immigrant surge.

Municipalities designated as African “hometowns” received a flood of protest calls, forcing JICA to suspend the project. JICA President Tanaka Akihiko said the program caused misunderstandings, confusion, and excessive burdens on local governments.

Japan also recently changed its SPRING program that provides financial assistance to PhD students after social media agitators alleged that Japan was giving free money to foreigners while making Japanese citizens pay back loans for college.

In fact, the SPRING program is open to Japanese and foreign PhD candidates alike. The majority of grants go to Japanese students.

Sources

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