BEIJING. A tragic incident unfolded in southern China when a 10-year-old Japanese boy was fatally stabbed near his school in Shenzhen. The boy, a student at the Shenzhen Japanese School, succumbed to his injuries, prompting Japan to call on China for answers and increased security measures.
Japan’s Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa expressed deep sorrow over the boy’s death, stressing the urgency of Japan’s prior requests for enhanced safety precautions ahead of China’s Sept. 18 commemoration of the Mukden Incident, a key historical event marking the start of Japan’s invasion of Manchuria in 1931.
The young boy was attacked on Wednesday, about 200 meters (220 yards) from the school gates. The attacker, identified by local police as Zhong, a 44-year-old man, was apprehended at the scene. The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed the arrest, but no motive has been disclosed.
During a press briefing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian expressed condolences, saying, “Our hearts go out to his family,” and assured that China would offer necessary assistance. Lin also confirmed that the boy was a Japanese national, with parents from both Japan and China.
Japan had earlier urged China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs to bolster security at Japanese schools in China, particularly in light of rising tensions surrounding the anniversary of the Mukden Incident. Kamikawa voiced her dismay that the attack took place despite these warnings, stating, “I find it extremely regrettable that the attack occurred despite our prior requests for increased safety.”
In an official statement, Kamikawa further remarked, “Such an attack should never occur in any country. Japan takes this incident extremely seriously and will once again request that Beijing ensures the safety of Japanese citizens.”
The attack on the Japanese boy follows a series of violent incidents targeting foreign nationals in China. In June, a stabbing at a school bus stop in Suzhou resulted in the death of a Chinese bystander who tried to stop the attacker, while a Japanese mother and her child were injured. Chinese officials have denied any connection between the two incidents.
Lin, addressing the recent events, said, “Similar cases may happen in any country,” and assured that these isolated incidents would not impact China’s relationship with Japan. He reiterated that China values its ties with Japan and will take steps to protect the safety of all foreign nationals.
“China and Japan are in communication on the case,” Lin added. “We always welcome people from all countries, including Japan, to come to China for traveling, studying, business, or living. We believe individual cases will not affect the exchanges and cooperation between China and Japan.”
The stabbing of the Japanese boy has not been widely reported in Chinese media, but the incident has sparked an outpouring of condolences on social media platforms like Weibo, where many users expressed grief and condemned the violent act.
Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs is now advising all Japanese citizens in China to remain vigilant and take extra precautions, citing recent knife attacks. An email from the Japanese Embassy urged residents to be aware of their surroundings and stay cautious. The Japanese Consulate in Guangzhou, which oversees the Shenzhen region, has also called for measures to prevent further violence against Japanese nationals.
This tragic event comes amid strained relations between China and Japan, heightened by historical tensions and the recent uptick in attacks involving foreign nationals. Earlier this year, a Chinese man attacked four U.S. university instructors in Jilin, though none of the injuries were critical.
Japan has once again pressed China for detailed information regarding the investigation into the stabbing and demanded concrete steps to prevent similar attacks in the future.
Gary P Hernal started college at UP Diliman and received his BA in Economics from San Sebastian College, Manila, and Masters in Information Systems Management from Keller Graduate School of Management of DeVry University in Oak Brook, IL. He has 25 years of copy editing and management experience at Thomson West, a subsidiary of Thomson Reuters.
