Tokyo, Oct 9 (IANS): An investigation has been launched by the police after graffiti was discovered at numerous locations of the iconic Zenkoji Temple in central Japan, the local media reported on Monday.
The temple is believed to have been built in the seventh century and is considered a national treasure. Police in Nagano Prefecture were on Sunday contacted by temple officials who reported the acts of vandalism, Japan's public broadcaster NHK reported.
The police subsequently found markings on the temple's pillars, walls, a gate, a storage building for sutras and other places in eight of the temple's buildings.
The officials said they found at least 30 white crosses at various locations around the ancient temple. The marks measured about 12 centimetres square and were made recently.
A similar act of vandalism took place at the temple nine years ago that saw graffiti spray-painted in the temple's main hall.