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Japanese police on Tuesday rearrested Kodai Murata, second lieutenant in the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, who is suspected of violating Japan's Firearms and Swords Control Law by forcibly breaking into the Chinese Embassy in Japan on March 24, according to Japanese media reports. Previously, he had been arrested on suspicion of trespassing at the Chinese Embassy in Japan. 

On March 24, Murata climbed over a wall and forcibly entered the Chinese Embassy in Japan while carrying a knife. The incident was shocking and extremely serious in nature and impact. Japanese police had previously arrested him on suspicion of unlawful entry into a building, according to the Xinhua News Agency. 

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said at a regular press conference on March 24 that China asks the Japanese side to thoroughly investigate the incident at once, bring the full weight of law to bear on the perpetrator and fully account for the incident. The Japanese side must ensure the safety and security of Chinese diplomatic and consular premises and personnel, reflect on and correct its erroneous policies on China and get rid of the root cause for such incidents once and for all. The international community needs to stay on high alert against Japan's accelerating rightward turn and loss of control inside the rapidly expanding SDF.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said at another press conference on April 1 that the Japanese side did not reflect on its failure in maintaining discipline in the SDF. Instead, it continues to peddle the narrative of external threats and expedite military buildup. This is a highly dangerous trend. China solemnly urges the Japanese side to do serious soul-searching on its history of militarist aggression, and honor its commitment and exercise prudence in military and security areas.


Global Times