China Accuses Intruder at Embassy in Tokyo of Neo-Militarism

Beijing (ANTARA) -

China’s Foreign Ministry stated that the spread of right-wing politics and neo-militarism in Japan caused an intruder carrying a sharp weapon to enter the Chinese Embassy in Tokyo on Tuesday (24/3).

“The incident once again highlights the dangers of the rampant spread of right-wing politics and neo-militarism in Japan, as well as the poor policies of the Japanese government on important issues concerning China-Japan relations,” said Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian during a press conference in Beijing on Wednesday.

An intruder broke into the Chinese Embassy compound in Tokyo’s Minato District on Tuesday (24/3) morning. He was apprehended at the scene by embassy staff. A knife was also found at the scene, although no embassy staff or other individuals were injured.

“According to information released by Japanese police, the perpetrator is a second lieutenant from Japan’s Ground Self-Defence Force. He climbed the embassy wall carrying an 18 cm knife and has been handed over to the police,” Lin Jian revealed.

China, Lin Jian said, regrets the incident and has lodged protests with Japan through both the Japanese Embassy in Beijing and the Chinese Embassy in Tokyo.

“We view the incident as seriously threatening the safety of embassy staff, disrupting the peaceful environment and dignity of the embassy. The incident also shows that Japan has failed to fulfil its obligations, particularly in safeguarding the security of diplomatic premises and personnel,” Lin Jian explained.

“Japan has taken misguided stances on important issues in China-Japan relations, such as historical writing and Taiwan. Japan has also failed to maintain discipline within its Self-Defence Forces,” Lin Jian added.

However, regarding what actions Japan will take to address the incident, he leaves it to the Japanese government.

Lin Jian also refuted Japanese media reports claiming that the Self-Defence Force member who entered the Chinese Embassy in Tokyo only intended to express his opinion to the Chinese Ambassador to Japan.

“Have you ever seen someone carrying a knife, entering an embassy without permission to express an opinion to the ambassador? That man, an officer from Japan’s Self-Defence Forces, climbed the wall and entered the embassy with an 18 cm knife,” Lin Jian stated.

Such circumstances, according to Lin Jian, are evidence that he threatened to kill Chinese diplomats.

“It is also a fact that the threat was made ‘in the name of God’. Japan must treat this seriously and investigate the incident thoroughly,” Lin Jian emphasised.

The intruder has now been handed over to the Tokyo Metropolitan Police and is being interrogated on suspicion of unauthorised entry into the building and other crimes.

The statement is understood to mean that the Japanese government allows the Self-Defence Forces to act in support of Taiwan if China imposes a maritime blockade on Taiwan or applies other forms of pressure.

In response to Takaichi’s statement, China has taken several retaliatory actions, including suspending imports of Japanese marine products again, cancelling high-level government meetings, advising its citizens not to travel or study in Japan, halting the release of Japanese films, and pledging to respond firmly if Tokyo becomes militarily involved in Taiwan affairs.