On July 28, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian presided over a regular press conference. A journalist asked whether Japan's Tokyo District Public Defense Office had completed a mental assessment of the active-duty officer who entered the Chinese embassy in Japan with a knife, and determined that he had criminal responsibility capacity. The officer has been prosecuted. What is China's comment on this?
Lin Jian stated that four months have passed since the incident where Muraki Kōdō, a current officer of the Japanese Self-Defense Forces, entered the Chinese embassy in Japan with a knife. Despite multiple solemn representations from China, the Japanese side has repeatedly delayed the investigation and handling of the case, using various excuses such as psychological evaluations, and has failed to punish the perpetrator promptly. China is strongly dissatisfied with this situation.
For some time, serious incidents threatening the safety of Chinese diplomatic missions in Japan continue to occur. Many insightful individuals in Japan and the international community have pointed out that this series of dangerous developments reflect many deep-seated problems in Japan. These include the rampant right-wing forces in Japan, the suppression of rational voices, the severe lack of proper historical education, the shift of security policies towards aggression and expansionism, and the lack of discipline and guidance within the Self-Defense Forces. Any attempt by the Japanese side to downplay or gloss over these issues is merely condoning and fostering such misconduct, which will ultimately cause great harm to Japan itself and the region. The international community must remain highly vigilant. We once again urge the Japanese side to conduct a thorough investigation and reform, reflect on and correct mistakes, delve into the root causes, and provide responsible explanations to China and the international community.
According to a report by the Japan Broadcasting Association on the 27th, in response to the incident where Shigeru Murata, an active member of the Japanese Self-Defense Forces, entered the Chinese Embassy in Japan with a knife in March this year, the Japanese prosecution filed a case against him on the 27th, accusing him of invading a building and threatening the staff of the embassy.
The Chinese Embassy in Japan responded on the 27th, stating that they strongly urge the Japanese side to take responsibility seriously, promptly investigate the case, uncover the root causes, severely punish those involved, and prevent such incidents from happening again. The embassy also calls for a responsible account-taking towards China and the international community.
