Japan Self-Defense Forces officer broke into Chinese embassy in Tokyo, China protests, Japan expresses 'regret'

An intruder serving in the Japanese Self-Defense Forces (SDF) as an officer has been arrested after breaking into the Chinese embassy in Tokyo on Mar. 24.

The incident comes amidst a backdrop of heightened tensions between China and Japan after Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's remarks about Japan's involvement in a China-Taiwan conflict.

Officer threatened to kill diplomats: China Foreign Ministry

According to China Daily, China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian told the press during a news briefing in Beijing that an active-duty officer from Japan's SDF had scaled the walls of China's embassy in Tokyo and entered the compound on Mar. 24 morning.

Lin added that the man had threatened to kill Chinese diplomats in the name of god.

Lin conveyed China's dismay, saying that China is "deeply shocked" and has lodged "solemn representations and a strong protest" with the Japanese.

The spokesperson also commented that the incident supposedly reflected the "harmful effects" of the Japanese government's "erroneous policies" on major issues, such as Taiwan.

Japan calls incident 'deeply regrettable', officer arrested

Japan has conveyed its regret to China and reinforced security around the Chinese embassy, AP reported.

A Ground SDF officer, 23-year-old Kodai Murata, was arrested by Tokyo Metropolitan Police, Japan Times wrote.

He allegedly forcibly entered the compound at around 9am that day and demanded to meet the Chinese ambassador.

He was restrained by embassy staff and handed over to the police at around 1pm.

No injuries were reported.

Murata told investigators that he hoped to meet with the Chinese ambassador "to tell him to refrain from making hardline remarks", The Straits Times wrote, citing Yomiuri Shimbun.

Murata said if his request was rejected, he wanted to "surprise [the ambassador] by killing himself."

Top image via AFP