Japan: A foreigner desecrates a cemetery via Instagram. Tourist phobia is growing in the archipelago.

Japan : An international tourist desecrates a cemetery via Instagram, sparking a mini-diplomatic incident. This is just the latest in a growing series of clashes between the local population and foreign tourists in a historically isolated island country. Today, with a record-breaking influx of international visitors month after month, the country is experiencing the pros and cons of overtourism particularly traumatically.

The incident involves a tourist—who, according to unconfirmed information, appears to be Australian. The Australian government's embassy in Tokyo urged its citizens to maintain "appropriate behavior" while traveling to the archipelago. The incident occurred after an Instagram user drank offerings from a Japanese tomb, sparking outrage and anger online.

The episode

The latest in a long line of fame-seeking foreign tourists who are irritating the Japanese, Lochie Jones, presumably Australian—since the Australian embassy has not confirmed the nationality of the protagonist in the story—has posted a video of himself drinking from a can placed on a gravestone as an offering, as is customary in the Land of the Rising Sun. Before doing so, the individual carefully flips a coin to decide whether or not to open the drink, presumably left as a gift for the ancestors. Then, to make sure he doesn't miss out, he makes sure to burp in front of the grave.

The video, posted some time ago, sparked angry comments online. "Cemeteries are sacred places in every country... I wish (the government) would make sure he can never enter Japan again," one furious user exclaimed, using language and content that were partly R-rated.

Yesterday, the Australian Embassy in Japan wrote on its Facebook page that travelers should behave "appropriately" when visiting the archipelago, without referring to the video. It added that it "works closely with Japanese authorities to ensure that Australian travelers comply with local laws and regulations." The man apologized for the incident in a video posted on Instagram.

The growing discontent

In Japan, the incident follows a series of provocative videos posted by foreign influencers seeking an audience, which have prompted growing unease among locals about foreigners and mass tourism.

A town near Mount Fuji last year installed a large barrier to block photos taken from a popular scenic spot next to a convenience store, where people were increasingly venturing out to get the "perfect shot" to post on social media.