An entrance to the Chinese Embassy in Japan is seen in Tokyo, Japan, March 24, 2026. /VCG
Japanese public figures have criticized the federal government’s response to the forcible intrusion by a member of the Self-Defense Forces (SDF) into the Chinese embassy in Japan earlier this week, calling the act severe in nature and questioning the federal government’s dealing with of the matter to this point.
Yuri Kono, a professor at Japan’s Hosei University, described the incident as an “indefensible and serious blunder.” He mentioned the SDF bears inescapable duty on condition that an active-duty SDF member threatened the safety of a overseas embassy.
“From the perspective of international principles and the practical need to prevent further escalation, the Japanese government should move swiftly to address the matter and hold those responsible accountable,” Kono added.
Hiroshi Shiratori, additionally a professor at Hosei University, mentioned the incident is unacceptable beneath worldwide legislation, warning that if the matter have been handled merely by expressing “regret,” Japan would discover it tough to demand a full apology if its personal diplomatic employees encountered related incidents abroad sooner or later.
Masahiro Yamazaki, a historical past scholar, additionally criticized the federal government’s dealing with of the case, calling the character of the incident “grave.”
“As the commander-in-chief of the SDF, shouldn’t Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi offer an explanation?” Yamazaki mentioned. “Will the matter be put to rest with nothing more than a statement of ‘truly regrettable’ from the Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara?”
He added that the way in which the Japanese authorities handles this matter may considerably have an effect on the long run developments of Japan-China relations and, due to this fact, warrants severe consideration.
According to the Chinese embassy in Japan, a person claiming to be “an active-duty officer of the Japan Self-Defense Forces” forcibly broke into the embassy by climbing over a wall on Tuesday morning, threatening to kill Chinese diplomatic personnel.
The embassy has lodged solemn representations and a powerful protest with the Japanese facet, demanding that Japan ought to present a accountable clarification.
The Japanese police have transferred Kodai Murata, a second lieutenant in Japan’s Ground SDF who was arrested earlier for forcibly breaking into the embassy, to prosecutors on suspicion of unlawful entry on Thursday, in keeping with Kyodo News.Â
Source: CGTN