GSDF Member Served Fresh Warrant over China Embassy Trespass

Tokyo, April 14 (Jiji Press)–Tokyo’s Metropolitan Police Department on Tuesday served a fresh arrest warrant on a Ground Self-Defense Force member accused of trespassing at the Chinese Embassy in the Japanese capital last month. The 23-year-old suspect, 2nd Lt. Kodai Murata, is suspected of violating the firearms and swords control law for allegedly carrying a knife during the incident. The MPD’s Public Security Bureau has already arrested him on a trespassing charge. Murata, who belongs to the GSDF’s Camp Ebino in Miyazaki Prefecture, southwestern Japan, told police he wanted to remain silent. According to investigative sources, the suspect climbed over a fence from a building adjacent to the embassy and entered its premises. After hiding in a bush for about 15 minutes, he left a knife in the bush and approached an embassy official, asking for a meeting with the Chinese ambassador. The suspect has told investigators that he had thought he would not be able to see the ambassador if someone saw him carrying a knife and considered him suspicious. The MPD is investigating the circumstances and motive behind the incident. The latest warrant accuses Murata of being in possession of a knife with an 18-centimeter blade on the embassy premises at around 8:55 a.m. on March 24. The knife was found by investigators after they searched the bush, based on the suspect’s explanation. The suspect told police that he wanted to meet the ambassador in person and ask him to refrain from making hard-line statements against Japan. Murata also said he did not intend to hurt anyone. He said he was planning to surprise the ambassador by committing suicide if the demand was rejected, the investigators said. END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]