US Tourists' Monkey Enclosure Break-In Prompts Photo Ban at Japanese Zoo
On May 17, 2026, at the Ichikawa City Zoo in Chiba, Japan, two U.S. tourists, Reid Jahnai Dayson, 24, and Neal Jabahri Duan, 27, were apprehended after entering a monkey enclosure, one of them dressed in an emoji costume for social media content. The incident scared the 60 monkeys, including the well-known Punch, up to a climbing structure. Both men have denied the charges of business obstruction and used false identities. In response, the zoo will enhance security measures. Additionally, beginning July 1, Japan's tourist tax will increase from 1,000 yen to 3,000 yen.
Key facts
- Two US tourists, Reid Jahnai Dayson (24) and Neal Jabahri Duan (27), jumped into a monkey enclosure at Ichikawa City Zoo on May 17, 2026.
- One tourist wore an emoji costume; they were allegedly filming for social media.
- The enclosure houses 60 monkeys, including Punch the Monkey, who went viral after being rejected and given an IKEA orangutan plushie.
- All monkeys scampered to the top of the climbing frame when the costumed man entered.
- Dayson and Duan were arrested and face charges of forcible obstruction of business, which they deny.
- They allegedly gave false names and lacked formal identification.
- The zoo is widening the buffer zone, adding intrusion prevention nets, and permanent patrols.
- The zoo is considering a full photography ban near the monkey enclosure due to the incident and increased attention.
- Takashi Yasunaga, head of Ichikawa's zoological and botanical garden division, said they want to prevent recurrence.
- Japan is planning to triple its tourist tax from 1,000 yen ($6) to 3,000 yen ($18) starting July 1.
Entities
Institutions
- Ichikawa City Zoo
- Ichikawa municipal government's zoological and botanical garden division
- IKEA
- AFP
- The Mainichi
- PetaPixel
- Fushimi Inari Shrine
Locations
- Ichikawa
- Chiba Prefecture
- Japan
- Fujiyoshida
- Mount Fuji
- Kyoto