Officials in Tokyo announced on Thursday that a 10-year-old Japanese student, who was stabbed near his school in southern China, has tragically passed away. They are urging Beijing to provide more information about the incident and take necessary precautions. The perpetrator is currently in custody.
Japanese Foreign Minister, Kamikawa Yoko, extended her condolences and expressed disappointment over the attack despite previous warnings from Tokyo to enhance safety measures, especially as China observes a significant anniversary related to its war history with Japan.
The stabbing took place on Wednesday, just 200 meters from the Shenzhen Japanese School gate, as confirmed by Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Lin Jian during a daily briefing. The assailant was apprehended on-site, and the investigation is ongoing.
According to a statement from Shenzhen police, a 44-year-old man named Zhong has been detained in connection with the assault on the minor. The motive behind the attack remains unclear at this time.
Given the upcoming September 18 anniversary of the Mukden Incident in 1931, Japan had requested heightened security at Japanese schools from China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Kamikawa emphasized the gravity of the incident and stressed the need for improved safety measures for Japanese citizens in China.
Following a previous knife attack at a bus stop for a Japanese school, Japan has advised school operators to review their security protocols. The Foreign Ministry is actively engaging with officials to bolster the safety of Japanese students in China.
Despite the recent incidents, there is no perceived correlation between them as stated by Lin. He assured that China remains committed to safeguarding the well-being of all foreign nationals within its borders.
Lin expressed his condolences for the boy’s passing and assured that China would offer support to the family. The victim was identified as a Japanese citizen with parents from both Japan and China.
While the tragic news did not make headlines in Chinese media, heartfelt condolences poured in on social media platforms. The Japanese Embassy advised its residents in China to remain cautious due to recent knife attacks, emphasizing preventive measures.
In a separate incident in June, four U.S. university instructors were stabbed in Jilin by a Chinese assailant, along with a bystander who tried to intervene. The instructors were teaching at Beihua University and thankfully sustained non-life-threatening injuries.