Tokyo, March 25 – The Japanese intruder who broke into the Chinese Embassy in Japan on Tuesday was arrested by the police later that same day, according to local media, with more details about the case being released.
The intruder has been identified as Kodai Murata, 23, a second lieutenant in Japan's Ground Self-Defense Force (GSDF), stationed at Camp Ebino in Miyazaki Prefecture, according to Kyodo News, citing the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department. A second lieutenant is the lowest officer rank within the GSDF, Xinhua news agency reported.
The suspect allegedly entered the premises of the Chinese embassy around 9 a.m. local time, carrying a knife and shouting threatening words. He was initially detained by embassy staff and later arrested by police on suspicion of unlawful entry, the report said.
Japanese police described the incident as "very regrettable" and said round-the-clock security would be provided for the embassy compound.
The GSDF said it would fully cooperate with the police and deal with the case "strictly," proceeding "based on facts."
According to the Chinese embassy in Japan, a man claiming to be "an active-duty officer of the Japan Self-Defense Forces" forcibly broke into the embassy by climbing over a wall on Tuesday morning, threatening to kill Chinese diplomatic personnel.
The embassy has lodged formal representations and a strong protest with the Japanese side, demanding that Japan provide a responsible explanation.