China once again urges Japan to reflect on and correct its mistakes about handling the incident of intrusion by a Self-Defense Forces (SDF) officer into the Chinese embassy, Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Lin Jian said at a press briefing in Beijing on Tuesday.
Lin made the comments in response to a media query regarding reports that Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office has completed a psychiatric evaluation of the active-duty Japan SDF officer who broke into the Chinese Embassy in Japan with a knife, determined that he is criminally responsible, and has filed criminal charges against him.
"It has been four months since the incident in which Akihiro Murata, an active-duty officer of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, illegally intruded into the Chinese Embassy in Japan armed with a knife. Despite repeated solemn representations from the Chinese side, the Japanese authorities have repeatedly delayed the investigation and handling of the case under various pretexts, such as a so-called 'psychological evaluation,' and have failed to severely punish the perpetrator in a timely manner. China strongly deplores this," Lin said.
"For some time, serious incidents threatening the security of Chinese embassies and consulates in Japan have continued to occur from time to time. These dangerous developments reflect the existence of numerous deep-seated problems in Japan today. Any attempt by the Japanese side to evade the crux of the matter or downplay the issue amounts to condoning and encouraging such improper conduct. We once again urge the Japanese side to conduct a thorough probe, reflect on and correct its mistakes, thoroughly examine the underlying causes, and provide a responsible explanation to China and the international community," said the spokesman.
China urges Japan to correct its mistakes over handling of embassy intrusion: spokesman
China urges Japan to correct its mistakes over handling of embassy intrusion: spokesman
