News Knife-carrying SDF officer intrudes Chinese Embassy in Tokyo

Tokyo police have arrested a Self-Defence Forces officer on suspicion of trespassing after he entered the Chinese Embassy with a knife and tried to meet the ambassador. The incident occurred around 09:00 on 24 March. No one was injured, but the Chinese government lodged a strong protest with Japan. Police identified the suspect as Kodai Murata, 23, a second lieutenant in the Ground Self-Defence Force, based at Camp Ebino in Miyazaki Prefecture. He went into the embassy in the Moto-Azabu area of Minato Ward. Embassy staff restrained him and contacted the Azabu Police Station at about 12:40.

Officers later took him into custody shortly after 21:00. Murata has admitted the allegation. He said there was no doubt he had entered the embassy grounds without permission. Investigators believe he acted alone. A knife with an 18-centimetre blade was found inside the embassy grounds.

Murata reportedly told police he brought the knife with the intent to "convey my opinion to the ambassador and kill myself to shock them if my opinion was not accepted." He also said he "wanted China to refrain from making hard-line statements," according to police. Authorities believe Murata left Camp Ebino at noon on 23 March and was absent without leave the following day when he entered the embassy. The MPD, which provides 24-hour security for the embassy, called the incident "regrettable" and pledged to "take measures, such as increasing the number of police officers on alert." A spokesperson for China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said at a news conference that Murata had climbed an embassy wall and "threatened to kill a Chinese diplomat." The spokesperson said China has lodged a strong protest with Japan and linked the incident to what it called "a new type of militarism gaining momentum and causing harm."

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Japan said on Wednesday it had conveyed its regrets to China after confirming the arrest of a Self-Defence Forces soldier on suspicion of trespass, a day after Beijing protested over an alleged intrusion at its embassy in Tokyo. Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara described the arrest as extremely regrettable. He also said it was regrettable that the incident happened despite routine police security around the embassy. Security measures have since been strengthened, including an increase in personnel.

How very strange…The only explanation for this behaviour is a transient loss of rationality.

Ukigumo said:

transient loss of rationality

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It was premeditated.

A 23-year-old member of the Ground Self-Defence Force has been arrested on suspicion of entering the Chinese Embassy in Tokyo. He is stationed at Camp Ebino. Investigators say he likely climbed over a wall from a neighbouring building to get inside the embassy grounds. They also believe the act may have been planned, noting that he had bought a knife the day before.

The suspect, identified as Kota Murata, was captured on camera at the Azabu Police Station after his arrest. According to investigators, Murata told police that he had scouted the area around the embassy in advance, saying, "Before the incident, I looked around the embassy and searched for a place where I could enter." After entering the embassy grounds, Murata reportedly encountered embassy staff and demanded to meet the ambassador, but was subdued on the spot. Murata admitted during questioning, "It is true that I entered the embassy grounds. Before the incident, I looked around the embassy and searched for a place where I could enter."

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