# This is why we can't have nice things: asshole tourists in Japan **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [June 1, 2024, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-why-we-cant-have-nice-things-asshole-tourists-in-japan/1002391 "2024-06-01T21:03:34Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 8
**Author:** ![hogarth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hogarth/32/1773_2.png) [@hogarth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hogarth)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2024, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-why-we-cant-have-nice-things-asshole-tourists-in-japan/1002391/141 "2024-12-18T23:14:56Z")
My wife had a paper bag with a box of tea in it; the Nara deer ripped the paper bag to shreds trying to get to the delicious (?) tea inside. ---
**Author:** ![wguy123](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wguy123/32/3161_2.png) [@wguy123](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wguy123)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2024, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-why-we-cant-have-nice-things-asshole-tourists-in-japan/1002391/142 "2024-12-18T23:16:48Z")
Sounds like those deer had it coming to them! Just kidding! ---
**Author:** ![Slithy\_Tove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slithy_tove/32/18248_2.png) [@Slithy\_Tove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slithy_Tove)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2024, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-why-we-cant-have-nice-things-asshole-tourists-in-japan/1002391/143 "2024-12-18T23:52:16Z")
Aggressive Japanese deer? Meanwhile, across the sea in Korea: [![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/2b/Chinese_water_deer_Stuffed_specimen_2.jpg/800px-Chinese_water_deer_Stuffed_specimen_2.jpg) ](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/2b/Chinese_water_deer_Stuffed_specimen_2.jpg/800px-Chinese_water_deer_Stuffed_specimen_2.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2024, 2:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-why-we-cant-have-nice-things-asshole-tourists-in-japan/1002391/144 "2024-12-19T02:49:03Z")
Huh, i visited Nara around 2004. I hand fed the deer, and found them charming. They didn’t eat any of my non-food stuff. Some other tourist took a nice photo of me squatting and petting a deer that lay down at my feet. ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2024, 2:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-why-we-cant-have-nice-things-asshole-tourists-in-japan/1002391/145 "2024-12-27T02:54:37Z")
> **[Foreign resident of Japan sentenced to eight months in prison for vandalizing...](https://soranews24.com/2024/12/27/foreign-resident-of-japan-sentenced-to-eight-months-in-prison-for-vandalizing-tokyo-shrine/)** > > Sentence handed down to 29-year-old Chinese man for spray-painting Yasukuni Shrine. ---
**Author:** ![Great\_Antibob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47c2d/32.png) [@Great\_Antibob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Great_Antibob)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2024, 5:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-why-we-cant-have-nice-things-asshole-tourists-in-japan/1002391/146 "2024-12-27T05:04:53Z")
You know…if it had been a protest against the veneration of war criminals enshrined at Yasukuni, I could understand that. But as a protest against releasing water from the Fukushima plants? Yeah, that’s a dumbass way of going about that. Either way, this guy wasn’t a tourist. Asshole probably, idiot definitely, but tourist no. ---
**Author:** ![Dissonance](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/85f322/32.png) [@Dissonance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dissonance)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2024, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-why-we-cant-have-nice-things-asshole-tourists-in-japan/1002391/147 "2024-12-27T18:25:53Z")
From the article: > It’s also worth noting that while Yasukuni is often briefly summarized in international media reports as “a shrine that houses the spirits of Japanese war criminals from World War II,” and it is true that the shrine’s record of names includes 1,066 war criminals, there are also 2.4 million other soldiers, including those who died in conflicts other than World War II, who are recognized by the shrine. This is what you call missing the point. Apart from the fact that most of those other 2.4 million dead wouldn’t be enshrined there if not for some of those 1,066 war criminals, there were no war criminals enshrined there until 1958, when they decided it’d be ok to start enshrining those tried, convicted, sentenced to death and executed for some of the most horrendous war crimes ever committed. ---
**Author:** ![TokyoBayer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tokyobayer/32/13989_2.png) [@TokyoBayer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TokyoBayer)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2024, 5:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-why-we-cant-have-nice-things-asshole-tourists-in-japan/1002391/148 "2024-12-28T05:37:30Z")
> [@Great\_Antibob](#): > > But as a protest against releasing water from the Fukushima plants? Yeah, that’s a dumbass way of going about that. Yasukuni Shrine is symbolic of the political tensions between Japan and Asian countries, primarily China and Korea. A long time ago, I made the mistake of taking a Chinese date there. Oops. > [@Great\_Antibob](#): > > Either way, this guy wasn’t a tourist. Asshole probably, idiot definitely, but tourist no. Yup > [@Dissonance](#): > > This is what you call missing the point I commented on another thread about Japanese names, but this news source mainly focuses on click bait material. It’s not hardcore journalism. ---
**Author:** ![hogarth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hogarth/32/1773_2.png) [@hogarth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hogarth)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2024, 6:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-why-we-cant-have-nice-things-asshole-tourists-in-japan/1002391/149 "2024-12-28T06:12:24Z")
> [@TokyoBayer](#): > > Yasukuni Shrine is symbolic of the political tensions between Japan and Asian countries, primarily China and Korea. > > A long time ago, I made the mistake of taking a Chinese date there. Oops. On the flip side, my Chinese wife insisted on visiting it (despite my reluctance) and treated it about as seriously as a trip to Disneyland. I drew the line at paying to see the war museum there, though. ---
**Author:** ![TokyoBayer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tokyobayer/32/13989_2.png) [@TokyoBayer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TokyoBayer)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2024, 5:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-why-we-cant-have-nice-things-asshole-tourists-in-japan/1002391/150 "2024-12-29T05:39:56Z")
> [@hogarth](#): > > I drew the line at paying to see the war museum there, though. Wise choice! It’s pretty scary. It’s been a while since I went there but the propaganda is over the top. I went there before I started studying the war but even then it was obviously created by people existing in an alternative universe. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2024, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-why-we-cant-have-nice-things-asshole-tourists-in-japan/1002391/151 "2024-12-29T18:19:35Z")
So the MJGA crowd? 😉 ---
**Author:** ![TokyoBayer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tokyobayer/32/13989_2.png) [@TokyoBayer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TokyoBayer)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2024, 8:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-why-we-cant-have-nice-things-asshole-tourists-in-japan/1002391/152 "2024-12-30T08:29:19Z")
Yeah, recent America politics took any bragging rights to sanity. ---
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2025, 6:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-why-we-cant-have-nice-things-asshole-tourists-in-japan/1002391/153 "2025-03-11T06:45:15Z")
> [@Monty](#): > > > [@Dissonance](#): > > > > In the past few months, “Johnny Somali” has been trending in Japan for all the wrong reasons. > > [And guess who’s back in the news!](https://www.yahoo.com/news/controversial-american-live-streamer-faces-011908642.html) (The link goes to Yahoo.) > > > A controversial American live-streamer is facing the prospect of prison in South Korea for his offensive antics, in a case that is shining a light on the rise of so-called “nuisance influencers” seeking clicks overseas. > > > > Ramsey Khalid Ismael, 24, commonly known by his online alias, “Johnny Somali,” has been indicted of causing a “commotion” at a convenience store, Seoul prosecutors confirmed to CNN. If convicted he faces [up to five years](https://elaw.klri.re.kr/eng_service/lawView.do?hseq=28627&lang=ENG) in prison. > > > > A departure ban has also been placed on Ismael, preventing him from leaving the country while authorities continue their investigation, CNN [affiliate MBC News reported](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Ho2vLPwPm8). > > [Here’s an 8’ 56" YouTube video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k83DVNW_g1U) with some commentary on the news. The upshot is he’s facing some serious charges, to include narcotics charges. A note: if you did drugs outside of Korea, arrive in Korea, do something illegal and get arrested, then you’re going to be tested for drugs. I presume this time Somali’s hair was tested and was positive. Korean law doesn’t care where you ingested the substance; what matters is if it’s still in your body while your body is in Korea. > > And here is a much more informative [17’ 30" YouTube video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uid95tk8bXY) which not ony shows his inane acts which are grounds for the charges against him, but explains the legal situation and also the cultural situation. [UPDATE! This is from _The Korea Herald_](https://www.koreaherald.com/article/10437891) > [@](#): > > # Controversial YouTuber Johnny Somali pleads guilty to all charges in Seoul court > > Published : March 10, 2025 - 14:58:08 > > The YouTuber who calls himself Johnny Somali, who faced public backlash last year in South Korea for his videos showing him kissing a “comfort woman” statue ― representing victims of wartime sexual slavery ― and doing other controversial actions, admitted to all three charges against him during the first hearing in his trial last week, according to local reports Monday. > > According to Yonhap, the 24-year-old American streamer, whose real name is Ramsay Khalid Ismael, arrived an hour late for the hearing, which was scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. on March 7 at Seoul Western District Court, citing a stomachache. > > He was wearing a red “Make America Great Again” hat, the symbol and slogan of US President Donald Trump. He was asked to remove it, because wearing a hat is not allowed in South Korean courtrooms. _There’s more at the link._ ---
**Author:** ![smithsb](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smithsb/32/12107_2.png) [@smithsb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smithsb)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2025, 9:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-why-we-cant-have-nice-things-asshole-tourists-in-japan/1002391/154 "2025-03-11T09:12:26Z")
The MAGA hat thing is to appeal to Trumpski to pressure the SK government to release him. Worked for the Tate assholes in Romania. ---
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2025, 10:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-why-we-cant-have-nice-things-asshole-tourists-in-japan/1002391/155 "2025-03-11T10:35:00Z")
Yeah. That’s not going to fly in Korea. ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2025, 7:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-why-we-cant-have-nice-things-asshole-tourists-in-japan/1002391/156 "2025-03-28T07:19:10Z")
Things continue not going great for Johnny Somali. > **[Johnny Somali facing “mandatory” prison sentence as new charge emerges - Dexerto](https://www.dexerto.com/entertainment/johnny-somali-facing-mandatory-prison-sentence-as-new-charge-emerges-3171515/)** > > Johnny Somali is facing a possible sentence of 7 years in prison due to creating and sharing AI Deepfakes of himself and another streamer. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2025, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-why-we-cant-have-nice-things-asshole-tourists-in-japan/1002391/157 "2025-03-28T17:59:30Z")
He’s just being persecuted for his political beliefs! [![](https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/data/photo/2024/11/28/28c559a1-e565-4c99-964e-3b31b6325407.jpg) ](https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/data/photo/2024/11/28/28c559a1-e565-4c99-964e-3b31b6325407.jpg) But don’t worry, I’m sure Trump will pardon him in Korea. ---
**Author:** ![Odesio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/odesio/32/20003_2.png) [@Odesio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Odesio)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2025, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-why-we-cant-have-nice-things-asshole-tourists-in-japan/1002391/158 "2025-03-28T18:03:36Z")
This is one of those cases where I feel a tiny bit torn. On one hand I’m not sure a lengthy stay is truly appropriate for what Somali has done. But on the gripping hand he’s such an outrageous asshole that I find it next to impossible to care. ---
**Author:** ![Great\_Antibob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47c2d/32.png) [@Great\_Antibob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Great_Antibob)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2025, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-why-we-cant-have-nice-things-asshole-tourists-in-japan/1002391/159 "2025-03-28T18:35:55Z")
Meh. If he had done it here, maybe so. Though the drug use might have tipped things a bit towards a more severe sentence. But if you deliberately go to other countries to play stupid games, they get to award the stupid prizes. ---
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2025, 7:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-why-we-cant-have-nice-things-asshole-tourists-in-japan/1002391/160 "2025-08-20T07:56:37Z")
[Update on Johnny Somali.](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/esports/news/johnny-somalis-south-korea-case-takes-dramatic-turn-with-guilty-plea/articleshow/123300525.cms) (Formatting is from the original.) > # Johnny Somali’s South Korea case takes dramatic turn with guilty plea > > [Global Sports Desk](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/toireporter/author-global-sports-desk-479273687.cms) / [TIMESOFINDIA.COM](http://TIMESOFINDIA.COM) / Updated: Aug 14, 2025, 22:24 IST > > Legal difficulties have intensified for the controversial streamer known as Ramsey “Johnny Somali,” now placing him with eight criminal charges in all. The implications of which range anywhere from public disturbance to deep fake production. Disruptions on the road through bus passengers while livestreaming! Such is how Somali ought to cooperate with the obstruction charge, paying a fourth on July 27, 2025, say legal analysts against complaints by the citizens and the police’s intervention.This will be setting a precedent for the earlier part of the case, running since October 2024. Court dates seem to accompany new charges and steadily increase the scope of proceedings, keeping Somali’s defense team at bay. > > ## From Denial to Admission > > In a surprise move, Somali changed his position on the obstruction count during his appearance in the courtroom on August 13 and pleaded guilty to the latest charge of obstruction. He has since entered guilty pleas to all four charges of obstruction of business on record.According to noted legal commentator who closely followed the case via the YouTube channel Legal Mindset, Andrew Esquire, "He has now pleaded guilty to all four obstruction charges. _There is more at the link._ [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-why-we-cant-have-nice-things-asshole-tourists-in-japan/1002391.md?page=7) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-why-we-cant-have-nice-things-asshole-tourists-in-japan/1002391.md?page=9)