TOKYO (TR) – Tokyo Metropolitan Police apprehended a Ground Self-Defense Force (GSDF) member after he trespassed onto the grounds of the Chinese Embassy in Minato Ward on Tuesday, reports the Yomiuri Shimbun (Mar. 24).
Shortly after 9:00 a.m., 23-year-old Kodai Murata, a member of the GSDF’s Camp Ebino in Miyazaki Prefecture, climbed over a wall from an adjacent building in entering the grounds. He was then initially detained by embassy staff.
Murata is believed to have entered with a knife, and a knife with an 18-centimeter-long blade was found in shrubbery, police said. On Tuesday night, police accused him of trespassing.
According to TV Tokyo’s investigation, Murata stated that he “wanted to directly confront the Chinese ambassador regarding his hardline stance against Japan.” He added, “It wasn’t to hurt anyone, but to surprise the other party. I wanted to surprise the ambassador. I wanted to take my own life.”
According to investigators, Murata became a senior officer in the GSDF this month. He left the base on Monday afternoon and traveled to Tokyo by express bus and bullet train. He stayed at an internet cafe and purchased the knife at a mass retailer in the capital.
“Confirming the facts”
At a press conference on Tuesday, a spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that they had “made a solemn complaint and lodged a strong protest” with Japan.
They also stated that the incident “threatens the safety of Chinese diplomats and diplomatic facilities, and its nature and impact are extremely malicious.” They demanded a thorough investigation and disciplinary action against those involved from Japan.
In a statement, the Ground Self-Defense Force said that the arrest of one of its members was “very regrettable.” It added that they will cooperate fully with the police. The Ministry of Defense stated that it is “currently confirming the facts.”
