A 23-year-old member of Japan’s Ground Self-Defense Force (GSDF) was arrested on Tuesday, March 24 after allegedly trespassing into the Chinese Embassy compound in Tokyo, in an incident that has drawn a strong protest from Beijing and heightened tensions between the two countries.
According to the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department’s Public Security Bureau, the suspect, identified as GSDF Third Lieutenant Murata Kōdai (村田晃大), is believed to have entered the embassy grounds in Minato Ward in the morning. Investigative sources say he scaled a wall separating the embassy from a neighboring building before being apprehended on the spot by embassy staff, according to Japanese public broadcaster NHK News. Riot police had reportedly been stationed around the embassy at the time.
Suspect Sought Meeting With Chinese Ambassador
Murata, who is affiliated with the Ebino garrison in Miyazaki Prefecture and recently received his officer’s rank, is believed to have traveled to Tokyo the day before the incident, as reported by Nippon Television. Authorities said a bladed instrument thought to have been brought in by the suspect was later found in shrubbery within the embassy grounds. No injuries to embassy personnel or others were reported.
The suspect was subsequently handed over to Japanese police and is being investigated on suspicion of unlawful entry and other offenses. During questioning, Murata admitted to the allegations and said his intention had been to meet the Chinese ambassador. “I wanted to convey my opinion to the ambassador,” he reportedly told investigators. He further stated that he wished to urge China to “refrain from taking a hardline stance toward Japan,” adding, “If it was not accepted, I thought I would kill myself with the blade to shock them.”
Rising Tensions Between Japan and China
The incident comes amid deteriorating relations between Japan and China. In November, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi suggested Japan could become militarily involved in the event of a PRC attack on Taiwan — statements that led to a barrage of propaganda and threats against her from Chinese diplomats and state media. Beijing has since increased diplomatic and economic pressure on Tokyo, including blacklisting 20 Japanese companies last month.
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The People’s Republic of China (PRC) Foreign Ministry reacted sharply to the incident. Spokesperson Lin Jian said at a press briefing on Tuesday that the intruder had “forcefully entered” the embassy and threatened diplomatic personnel, calling the situation “extremely egregious.” “China is deeply shocked at this incident and has lodged strong démarche and protests with Japan,” Lin said. He urged the Japanese government to “get to the bottom of the incident, bring relevant personnel to justice and give China a responsible answer.”
Lin also characterized the episode as evidence of “the rampant far-right ideologies and forces in Japan” and warned of “the mounting danger of new militarism.” The Chinese government called on Japan to immediately investigate the matter, strictly punish those involved, and provide a detailed explanation.
Japanese authorities have so far offered limited public comment. A spokesperson for the GSDF said the ministry is still gathering information, while the Foreign and Defense Ministries have not issued official statements. Police have also declined to confirm some local media details.
