According to the WeChat public account of the Chinese Embassy in Japan, on October 1st, a spokesperson from the embassy answered reporters' questions regarding the first court hearing related to Masataka Murata's illegal use of a knife to breach the Chinese Embassy in Japan.
Question: On October 1st, the Tokyo District Court held the first public trial against Murakami Koji, a former Self-Defense Forces officer who illegally invaded and stormed the Chinese embassy. What comments does the spokesperson have on this?
Answer: The incident where an active officer of the Japanese Self-Defense Forces entered the Chinese Embassy with a knife is an unprecedented and violent act in international society. It seriously violates the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, infringes upon China’s sovereignty and dignity, and poses a serious threat to the personal safety of Chinese diplomats and the security of diplomatic premises. This case reveals many deep-seated problems in Japan, such as rampant right-wing forces within Japan and the lack of discipline and proper conduct among members of the Self-Defense Forces. The facts of this case are clear, and the evidence is solid; there is no room for denial. China will wait to see how Japan handles this case, and the international community will also be watching. China urges Japan to take appropriate action, severely punish the perpetrator, conduct a thorough investigation and rectification, and provide responsible explanations.
According to previous reports, Akira Murata is 24 years old and a third-class lieutenant in the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force. He is stationed at Sashino Station of the Miyazaki Prefecture Ground Self-Defense Force.
On March 24, the Chinese Embassy in Japan announced that on the morning of the 24th, a person claiming to be a member of the Japanese Self-Defense Forces broke into our embassy through a VPN and threatened to kill Chinese diplomats in the name of some so-called gods. This incident seriously violates the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations and poses a significant threat to the safety of our embassy personnel and premises. The nature of this incident is extremely serious. This incident once again demonstrates that ultra-right-wing ideas and forces are rampant in Japan, and the dangerous reality of the Self-Defense Forces’ expansion and irresponsibility must draw the attention of the international community.
On July 27th, the Tokyo District Prosecutors' Office formally charged Muraoka Koji with charges including intrusion into a building, violation of the Knife Law, and coercion. On August 28th, the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force announced that Muraoka Koji had been disciplined and removed from his post.
Jomon Collective Society reported on October 1st that former Village Headman Murakami confessed to breaking into buildings and violating the "Gun Law" in his first public trial at Tokyo District Court. The defense claims the charge of threatening embassy employees is not valid.
