Americans Arrested in Japan for Entering Punch the Monkey’s Zoo Home to Promote Meme Coin

In brief

• Two American men were arrested for their alleged role in entering the zoo enclosure of the viral monkey, Punch.
• One man reportedly climbed into the enclosure wearing a costume promoting a Solana meme coin, while the other allegedly filmed it.
• The meme coin has jumped 38% on the back of the stunt, which gained millions of views on social media.

Two American men were arrested for their role in disturbing viral macaque monkey Punch by slipping into his enclosure in a Japanese zoo—all in an effort to promote a meme coin, according to a report from the New York Times.

Video and photo evidence from the event show what is believed to be 24-year old Reid Jahnai Daysun climbing over the perimeter fence of the enclosure wearing a costume that promotes the Solana-based meme coin, Just a Memecoin (MEMECOIN). It is alleged that 27-year-old Neal Jabahri Duan filmed the encounter, though both men denied the charges, according to the report. 

“Last night, we filed a damage report with the Ichikawa Police Station,” the Ichikawa Zoo posted on X after the incident. “From tomorrow onward, with the safety and health of the animals as our top priority, we will proceed with countermeasures while strictly addressing any rule violations.”

“パンチくん”市川市動植物園 猿山に侵入者 pic.twitter.com/XWgdSfBqJC

— ᴋ_ᴍᴀʀᴜ_ᴅᴀᴜ_ʙᴀʙʏ (@k_maru_dau_baby) May 17, 2026

The zoo, which is located in the suburbs of Japan’s capital city, Tokyo, noted that it is discussing a potential ban of filming, and is also in the process of adding intrusion prevention nets and constant patrols in restriction areas. 

No animals were harmed and none had shown any abnormalities in the wake of the intrusion, the Zoo said. 

While it has heavily promoted the incident on its X page, the Just a Memecoin social media account reminded its virality-seeking community to “respect local laws and never put yourselves, others, or any animals at risk.”