Jiufen: A man traveling across Taiwan in a samurai outfit was questioned by police near Jiufen after concerns were raised about the sword he was carrying. This incident occurred amidst heightened public sensitivity following a recent mass stabbing in Taipei.

According to Focus Taiwan, the New Taipei Police Department received a call regarding the 22-year-old man, identified by his surname Chen, who was spotted walking on a mountain road near Jiufen. Chen was dressed in "kendo lantern pants" and a straw hat, carrying a gourd-shaped water bottle, with what appeared to be a samurai sword slung across his back.

Seven officers were dispatched to the scene and surrounded Chen, who cooperated with their questioning. It was discovered that he was carrying a 60-centimeter sword with an unsharpened blade but a pointed tip.

Chen was taken to Ruifang Police Station, where he explained his interest in Japanese samurai culture and stated that he had no intention of causing harm. He recounted his journey, which began in Tainan last month, passing through several cities including Kaohsiung, Pingtung, Taitung, Hualien, and Yilan without incident, before reaching Jiufen last Friday.

On Monday at 11 a.m., Chen checked out of his Jiufen hotel to continue his trek, only to be intercepted by police shortly afterward. He revealed that he had bought the sword, now being examined as evidence, for ¥26,000 (approximately US$165) during a trip to Kyoto the previous year.

Police noted that Chen's open carrying of a potentially dangerous item was sufficient to cause public alarm. Following questioning, he was referred to the Keelung District Prosecutors Office for investigation into potential offenses against public safety.