Overview
- Chiba Prefectural Police took custody of Kanayama Masahide, 63, after extradition from the United States and arrested him on suspicion of damaging Katori Jingu in 2015.
- He admitted the acts to investigators and said he used olive oil as part of a religious anointing practice, describing guidance by the Holy Spirit.
- An additional warrant has been secured in the Naritasan Shinshoji case as police probe connections to 48 similar incidents across 16 prefectures, including at Todai-ji and Nijō Castle.
- Conservation teams report persistent staining and difficult remediation; Nijō Castle could not fully remove deep-set oil despite specialist consultations and enhanced security measures.
- Court and defense materials state Kanayama worked as a physician in New York and founded a Christian-affiliated group in Japan, which officials say informs their understanding of his statements.