China-Japan Relations | Japanese Self-Defense Force Officer Breaks Into Chinese Embassy, Beijing Demands Responsible Explanation from Japan

A member of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force forcibly entered the Chinese Embassy in Japan by climbing over the wall yesterday. He was subdued by embassy staff and detained by the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department on suspicion of trespassing into a building.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin stated at a routine press conference that China urges Japan to conduct an immediate investigation into the incident, severely punish the lawbreaker, and give China a responsible explanation.

Carrying an 18-centimeter knife and climbing over the wall to break in

Wang Wenbin pointed out that the Chinese Embassy in Japan is coordinating with Japanese police on follow-up handling. The suspect has been handed over to Japanese authorities. Verified information from Japanese police shows that the individual is an active-duty officer of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, holding the rank of Third Lieutenant, and was carrying an 18-centimeter knife when he climbed over the wall into the Chinese Embassy in Japan.

Wang Wenbin said that China has lodged serious protests with Japan in Beijing and Tokyo, expressing strong dissatisfaction. He emphasized that the incident seriously threatened the safety of embassy personnel, disturbed the peace of the embassy, damaged the dignity of the embassy, and indicated that Japan has failed to fulfill its obligations under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations and its special responsibility to protect diplomatic missions and representatives.

Encouraging Japan to let the younger generation understand the true history

Regarding the approval by Japan’s Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology yesterday of high school textbooks to be used from 2027, some textbooks contain statements claiming that the Japanese military’s “comfort women” and forced labor issues “did not involve coercion,” and affirm the claim that “Tiaoyutai is Japan’s inherent territory.”

Wang Wenbin stated that Japan’s manipulation of wording in textbook approval to obscure historical facts, downplay, and evade responsibility for its invasion history is a common tactic used by Japan to deny and distort its aggressive past. China is strongly dissatisfied and firmly opposed to this, and has lodged serious protests with Japan.

He emphasized that China sternly urges Japan to face and reflect on its invasion history, draw a clear line with militarism, and let Japan’s younger generation understand the true history. China calls for responsible handling of historical issues to prevent further loss of trust among Asian neighbors and the international community.