Two American social media personalities linked to memecoin and crypto culture were arrested in Japan after allegedly trespassing into the enclosure of Punch, the viral baby monkey that captured global attention earlier this year.
The incident took place at Ichikawa City Zoo in Chiba Prefecture, near Tokyo, where Punch — a young Japanese macaque — lives. Authorities identified the suspects as 24-year-old Reid Jahnai Daysun and 27-year-old Neal Jabahri Duan. According to Japanese police, one man entered the enclosure while the other filmed the stunt.
Videos circulating online show a man wearing a large emoji-style costume climbing over barriers near the monkey exhibit, causing panic among several macaques inside the enclosure.
Zoo officials quickly intervened before any physical contact occurred between the intruder and the animals.
Authorities arrested both men on suspicion of “forcible obstruction of business,” a criminal offense in Japan often used in cases involving disruptive public behavior. Police reportedly said the pair initially provided false names after being detained.
Punch became an internet sensation earlier in 2026 after heartbreaking photos showed the baby macaque clinging to a stuffed orangutan toy for comfort after being rejected by his mother shortly after birth. The monkey’s story sparked massive online sympathy worldwide and inspired the hashtag #HangInTherePunch across social media.
The viral fame dramatically increased attendance at Ichikawa City Zoo, with visitors traveling from around the world to see the young macaque. The zoo later stated that Punch had gradually begun socializing more successfully with other monkeys under staff supervision.
While Japanese authorities have not officially confirmed a cryptocurrency motive, multiple online reports and viral clips have linked the stunt to memecoin-style promotion tactics commonly used by internet influencers seeking viral attention.
Social media users identified similarities between the costume used in the stunt and branding often associated with speculative crypto projects and livestream marketing schemes. Several outlets described the pair as “crypto influencers” or “memecoin promoters,” though no direct business connection has yet been publicly verified.
Following the incident, Ichikawa City Zoo announced new security measures around the monkey enclosure, including additional patrols, expanded restricted areas, and the installation of intrusion-prevention nets. Officials are also reportedly considering banning video recording near the exhibit.
The zoo confirmed that Punch and the other macaques were not physically harmed during the disturbance.
The arrests come amid growing criticism in Japan toward foreign livestreamers and online prank creators accused of disruptive behavior for internet clout. Recent years have seen several high-profile arrests involving influencers filming stunts at sensitive public locations across the country.
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