Japan GSDF Member Breaks into Premises of China Embassy in Tokyo

Tokyo, March 24 (Jiji Press)–Police on Tuesday arrested a Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force member for breaking into the premises of the Chinese Embassy in Tokyo the same day. Arrested by the Public Security Bureau of Tokyo’s Metropolitan Police Department was GSDF Second Lieutenant Kodai Murata, 23, who is from the city of Ebino, Miyazaki Prefecture, southwestern Japan. Murata admitted to the allegations against him in police questioning, saying: “I wanted to convey my opinion to the (Chinese) ambassador (to Japan). I planned to kill myself and surprise (the ambassador) unless my opinion is accepted.” No one was injured in the incident. An official of the embassy found Murata trespassing on the grounds of the diplomatic establishment in the Japanese capital’s Minato Ward around 9 a.m. Tuesday. Murata asked for a meeting with the ambassador and was taken into custody, according to the MPD bureau. Around 1 p.m., he was handed over to police officers who rushed to the embassy after being informed of the incident by embassy staff. Police officers found a knife with an 18-centimeter blade from a bush on the embassy grounds, based on Murata’s statement that he had hidden the weapon there. Murata, who belongs to the GSDF’s Camp Ebino in Miyazaki, is believed to have come to Tokyo on Monday. The Public Security Bureau is investigatin g details of the incident, including his motive. The Defense Ministry refrained from commenting on the matter as police investigations are underway. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian claimed at a press conference Tuesday that the suspect threatened to kill Chinese diplomats in the “name of god.” The incident “posed a grave threat to the safety and security of Chinese diplomatic personnel and facilities,” and is “egregious in both nature and impact,” Lin said. China lodged a strong protest with Japan and urged the country to thoroughly investigate the incident and punish the perpetrator, he also said. END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]