China Protests Embassy Break-In by Japanese Military Officer | Japan-China Relations
Tokyo – China has lodged a formal protest with Japan following what it described as a “forceful break-in” at its embassy in Tokyo on Tuesday morning. According to Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian, an individual claiming to be an active-duty officer with Japan’s Self-Defense Forces scaled the embassy walls and entered the compound.
Lin stated that the intruder “admitted that the actions were illegal and threatened to kill Chinese diplomatic personnel in the so-called name of God.” The Chinese Foreign Ministry is demanding a thorough investigation, punishment for those responsible, and a full explanation from the Japanese government.
“The Japanese side must effectively guarantee the safety of the premises and personnel of Chinese embassies and consulates in Japan, reflect on and correct its policies towards China, and fundamentally prevent such incidents from occurring again,” Lin said at a regular news conference in Beijing.
Japan’s Ministry of Defence acknowledged awareness of media reports regarding the incident but declined to provide further comment. The Ground Self-Defense Force confirmed to the Associated Press that it was investigating reports of a member’s involvement but offered no immediate details.
Japanese media, including NHK and TBS television, reported that the suspect was detained by police after entering the embassy grounds. A knife was reportedly found at the scene, though no injuries were sustained by embassy staff. Police are investigating the case as a suspected trespass, according to reports.
The incident occurs amid escalating tensions between Beijing and Tokyo. Last November, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi suggested that a Chinese military action against Taiwan could be considered a “survival-threatening situation” for Japan, potentially warranting a military response. China views Taiwan as a renegade province and has since increased diplomatic and trade pressure on Japan in response to Takaichi’s remarks.
Further complicating relations, Japan is preparing to revise its annual diplomatic report, downgrading its description of ties with China. A draft of the report, reviewed by reporters, indicates that the relationship will no longer be characterized as “one of its most important,” but rather as an important neighbor with a “strategic” and “mutually beneficial” relationship. This shift reflects a series of confrontations between the two countries over the past year, according to sources familiar with the report.
When asked about the planned change in diplomatic language, Lin reiterated China’s call for Prime Minister Takaichi to retract her previous statements regarding Taiwan.