On November 10 local time, the Tokyo District Court opened a hearing in the case of former Self-Defense Forces official Murata Akio (村田晃大), accused of illegally entering the Chinese Embassy in Japan while carrying a knife. Prosecutors requested that he be sentenced to one year and six months of confinement.

On March 24, 2026, Murata climbed over a wall with a knife, forced his way into the embassy, and threatened to kill Chinese diplomatic personnel. Police arrested him afterward. Japanese prosecutors indicted him on charges including unlawful entry into a building and threatening embassy staff.

The Chinese Embassy in Japan made solemn representations and expressed strong protest over the intrusion, demanding a responsible account from the Japanese side. Japan expressed only “regret” and did not apologize.

Original article: https://m.thepaper.cn/newsDetail_forward_34444764