Japan Press Weekly

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2026 April 8 - 14 [POLITICS]

Japan should formally apologize for intrusion by armed SDF officer into Chinese embassy

Akahata editorial (excerpts)

A serious incident that violates international treaties has occurred, in which an active-duty senior Self-Defense Forces officer armed with a knife broke into the Chinese Embassy in Tokyo.

However, rather than offering an “apology”, the Japanese government has only expressed “regret”. This response is unacceptable on the international stage. Consequently, it has become a new source of concern that could further strain Japan-China relations.

The incident occurred on March 24. The intruder was a lieutenant stationed at Ground SDF Camp Ebino in Miyazaki Prefecture.

The day after the incident, Chief Cabinet Secretary Kihara Minoru stated, “It is truly regrettable that an SDF officer, who is supposed to abide by the law, was arrested on suspicion of trespassing.” However, it was not until March 27 that Defense Minister Koizumi Shinjiro mentioned the incident, saying, “It is truly regrettable.”

The Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations stipulates that the premises of foreign diplomatic missions shall be “inviolable” and requires the receiving state to prevent intrusion into or damage to the embassy, as well as to protect the safety of diplomats. In light of these stipulations, it is clear that the Japanese authorities were at fault.

The government should apologize to China in accordance with international rules, clarify the motive and background of the incident, and take every possible measure to prevent a recurrence.