JAKARTA - The Chinese Foreign Ministry has requested a thorough investigation into the incident of the entry of an intruder who is said to be a member of the Japanese Self-Defense Forces into the Chinese Embassy in Tokyo.
"China asks the Japanese side to immediately thoroughly investigate the incident, apply the applicable law in full to the perpetrators, and provide a complete explanation of the incident," said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian at a press conference in Beijing, Tuesday, March 24, reported by ANTARA.
A trespasser broke into the Chinese Embassy compound in Tokyo's Minato District on Tuesday (24/3) morning. He was arrested at the scene by embassy staff.
A knife was also found at the scene, although no embassy staff or other people were injured.
Japanese media said the intruder was a member of the Japanese Ground Self Defense Force (SDF).
"China is very shocked by this incident and has lodged a protest and strong condemnation against Japan," Lin Jian added.
He said the incident was a serious violation of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations and posed a serious threat to the safety and security of Chinese diplomatic personnel and facilities.
"This incident is very bad, both in terms of events and its impact. This incident once again highlights the dangers of the spread of the right-wing influence and rampant neo-militarism in the country," said Lin Jian.
This, said Lin Jian, also revealed the negative impact of the Japanese government's wrong policies on vital issues concerning China-Japan relations, such as history and Taiwan, as well as Japan's failure to maintain discipline in the SDF and to fulfill its responsibility to protect Chinese diplomatic and consular offices and personnel.
"Japan must ensure the safety and security of Chinese diplomatic and consular offices and personnel, rethink and correct its wrong policies towards China, and remove the root causes of such incidents forever," Lin Jian said.
The international community, said Lin Jian, also needs to remain vigilant against Japan's increasingly right-leaning shift and the loss of control within the rapidly expanding SDF.
The intruder is said to have entered the compound through a wall between the embassy and a neighboring building. Anti-riot police were on guard around the embassy at the time.
Currently, the intruder has been handed over to the Tokyo Metropolitan Police and is being interrogated for allegedly entering the building without permission and other crimes.
China-Japan relations have been firm since November 7, 2025 when Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said China's use of military force against Taiwan, which "could create a situation that threatens Japan's survival" still causes tension in China-Japan relations.
The statement is understood by the Japanese government to allow the Self-Defense Forces to act in support of Taiwan if China imposes a maritime blockade on Taiwan or other forms of pressure.
In response to Takaichi's statement, China has taken a number of retaliatory actions, including resuming imports of Japanese seafood products, cutting off high-level government meetings, advising its citizens not to travel or study in Japan, stopping the release of Japanese films, and promising to retaliate firmly if Tokyo is involved militarily in Taiwan affairs.
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