SCMP:
Japan influencer calls out ‘electricity stealing’ Chinese tourists for using public chargers
‘Inflammatory’ influencer who regularly taunts Chinese people online is accused of making ‘highly offensive’ posts on social media
Yating Yang in Beijing
Published: 2:00pm, 5 May 2025
Updated: 10:35am, 6 May 2025
A Japanese influencer who accused Chinese tourists of “stealing electricity” by using public charging outlets and told them to “go back to their own country” has sparked a heated online debate.
On April 25, the influencer, known as Hezuruy, who has almost 415,000 followers online, posted a photo of a Chinese tourist sitting on the floor to use a public outlet to charge a mobile phone.
The influencer is active on social media platforms and is known for building his online presence through confrontational behaviour, often targeting Chinese tourists.
He has even formed a group in Nara on Japan’s Pacific Ocean coast under the pretext of “protecting Nara’s deer,” specifically targeting Chinese tourists, inciting conflicts, and selectively recording videos to portray them negatively.
In a recent post, he said: “Warning: stealing electricity is a criminal act. Recently, more Chinese tourists have been removing covers and tape to steal electricity.
A Japanese influencer who accused Chinese tourists of “stealing electricity” by using public charging outlets and told them to “go back to their own country” has sparked a heated online debate.
On April 25, the influencer, known as Hezuruy, who has almost 415,000 followers online, posted a photo of a Chinese tourist sitting on the floor to use a public outlet to charge a mobile phone.
The influencer is active on social media platforms and is known for building his online presence through confrontational behaviour, often targeting Chinese tourists.
He has even formed a group in Nara on Japan’s Pacific Ocean coast under the pretext of “protecting Nara’s deer,” specifically targeting Chinese tourists, inciting conflicts, and selectively recording videos to portray them negatively.
In a recent post, he said: “Warning: stealing electricity is a criminal act. Recently, more Chinese tourists have been removing covers and tape to steal electricity.
A woman uses a public charging point, a behaviour which the Japanese influencer describes as “a criminal act”. Photo: QQ.com
“Some people steal electricity from multipurpose toilets, and they do not come out for long periods, causing trouble for parents with children.”
It ended with inflammatory remarks: “If you cannot follow the basic rules, go back to your own country.”
In Japan, unauthorised use of public electricity in places such as shopping centres, railway stations, or shops is considered illegal.
Individuals may face arrest for using public outlets without permission, regardless of the amount of electricity used.
In 2010, a man in Osaka was jailed for a year after illegally tapping into a shared outlet in his residential building and using electricity worth just 2.5 yen, less than US$1, after his own power was cut off over unpaid bills.
The influencer’s post quickly went viral and had amassed 8.4 million views and 61,000 likes at the time of writing.
It triggered a strong public reaction and divided opinion among Japanese netizens.
Some Japanese commenters criticised Chinese tourists, with one saying: “If there is a cover or tape on it, it should be understood as ‘not for use.’ But for many Chinese, even something as simple as this is not understood.”
“It is common sense that foreign tourists should follow local rules.”
However, others criticised the influencer’s remarks, accusing him of unfairly targeting Chinese visitors.
“Some people steal electricity from multipurpose toilets, and they do not come out for long periods, causing trouble for parents with children.”
It ended with inflammatory remarks: “If you cannot follow the basic rules, go back to your own country.”
In Japan, unauthorised use of public electricity in places such as shopping centres, railway stations, or shops is considered illegal.
Individuals may face arrest for using public outlets without permission, regardless of the amount of electricity used.
In 2010, a man in Osaka was jailed for a year after illegally tapping into a shared outlet in his residential building and using electricity worth just 2.5 yen, less than US$1, after his own power was cut off over unpaid bills.
The influencer’s post quickly went viral and had amassed 8.4 million views and 61,000 likes at the time of writing.
It triggered a strong public reaction and divided opinion among Japanese netizens.
Some Japanese commenters criticised Chinese tourists, with one saying: “If there is a cover or tape on it, it should be understood as ‘not for use.’ But for many Chinese, even something as simple as this is not understood.”
“It is common sense that foreign tourists should follow local rules.”
However, others criticised the influencer’s remarks, accusing him of unfairly targeting Chinese visitors.
Blogger Hezuruy says he is on a mission to save deer in the Nara area of Japan. Photo: QQ.com
One person said: “I can really feel his hostile attitude towards Chinese people. That kind of language is highly offensive and feels like it is targeting a specific nationality.”
As free charging facilities are widely available in China, many Chinese netizens argue that the influencer’s comments reflect a lack of public infrastructure for tourists in Japan.
One Chinese online observer said sarcastically: “Oh my god, poor Japanese, you are welcome to come to China and charge your phone for free.”
While another added: “Is Japan not known for having the best service industry in Asia? Instead of criticising charging behaviour, it might be better to think about how to better serve customers. When my phone runs out of battery in China, most businesses are happy to help.”
One person said: “I can really feel his hostile attitude towards Chinese people. That kind of language is highly offensive and feels like it is targeting a specific nationality.”
As free charging facilities are widely available in China, many Chinese netizens argue that the influencer’s comments reflect a lack of public infrastructure for tourists in Japan.
One Chinese online observer said sarcastically: “Oh my god, poor Japanese, you are welcome to come to China and charge your phone for free.”
While another added: “Is Japan not known for having the best service industry in Asia? Instead of criticising charging behaviour, it might be better to think about how to better serve customers. When my phone runs out of battery in China, most businesses are happy to help.”
Lain Padang, lain belalang.
ReplyDeleteJust learn to respect the mores of the place that you visit.
old habits die hard, especially for those common daily chores one so used to.
DeleteDemand respect from the visitors? Then put up signs!
My grouse is they talk so loudly, yell actually, and spit all over the place.
ReplyDeleteTalk loudly bcoz of habit. Yell? That's ur mfering interpretation of a language u hardly understand the involvement of tone variations.
DeleteSpit? Maybe the older generation whom r fast fading into history.
Unlike in Tokyo, Bombay & Seoul where urine smell r everywhere after the night.
Ooop… don't forget those roaming drugged zombies allover the major side lanes of the 1st tier cities of USofA.