A rise in the antics of nuisance influencers in Japan, who are accused of duping train ticket collectors and pretending to be homeless to get cash, has caused consternation in the country as tourism number near their pre-pandemic levels.

One of the suspected fare dodgers, known online as Fidias, posted a video to his 2.38 million subscribers over the weekend showing him and three others evading rail staff and blagging free food.

While Panayiotou’s followers applauded his audacity, the reaction from other social media users was overwhelmingly negative, with some accusing them of abusing Japan’s reputation for safety and hospitality.

Overcrowding at popular sight-seeing spots, as well as bad behaviour such as drinking on the street and littering, have prompted the government to draw up measures to reduce over-tourism, including steep rises in train fares and campaigns to attract visitors to lesser-known rural areas.

The influencer, who has since turned to boxing and professional wrestling, was labelled “disrespectful” and “disgusting” after he joked with friends about discovering the body in Aokigahara forest, a notorious suicide spot at the base of Mount Fuji.

Earlier this year, several people were arrested after they posted videos of themselves interfering with food in revolving sushi and other fast-food restaurants, forcing the industry to take emergency hygiene measures.

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