A 10-year-old Japanese student has tragically passed away just one day after being stabbed near his school in southern China.
According to Japanese officials, the boy enrolled at the Shenzhen Japanese School passed away from his injuries early Thursday morning.
Local police reported that a 44-year-old man, identified by the surname Zhong, was apprehended at the incident scene.
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida condemned the attack as “extremely despicable” and stated that Tokyo has “strongly urged” Beijing for an explanation “as soon as possible”.
Lin Jian, spokesperson for the Chinese foreign ministry, stated that the matter is under investigation and confirmed that China and Japan are “in communication.”
During a Thursday news conference, he conveyed to reporters China’s regret and sadness regarding this unfortunate incident.
Mr. Lin has confirmed that the boy, the son of a Japanese father and a Chinese mother, holds Japanese nationality.
The reason behind the attack remains unclear at this time. Some observers have raised concerns regarding the potential for rising nationalist sentiment in China to manifest in heightened violence directed at foreigners.
In June, a man focused on a Japanese mother and her child in the eastern city of Suzhou. The incident occurred near a Japanese school and resulted in the death of a Chinese national who attempted to shield a mother and her son.
In early June, an incident occurred in the northern city of Jilin involving the stabbing of four American teachers.
Beijing has characterized all these attacks, including the one on Wednesday, as “isolated incidents.” On Wednesday, Mr. Lin stated that China would maintain its commitment to ensuring the safety of all foreigners within its borders.
The Japanese embassy in Beijing urged the Chinese government to take measures to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
Observers have noted that the stabbing occurred on the anniversary of the infamous Mukden Incident, a pivotal event in which Japan staged an explosion to rationalize its invasion of Manchuria in 1931, ultimately leading to a protracted 14-year conflict with China.
The relationship between the two nations has historically been fraught with tension. For decades, the two sides have been embroiled in conflicts over various issues, including historical grievances and territorial disputes.
A former Japanese diplomat stated that the attack in Shenzhen on Wednesday was a consequence of years of anti-Japan education within Chinese schools.
“This has resulted in the tragic loss of a young Japanese life,” Shingo Yamagami, Japan’s former ambassador to Australia, stated on X.
In response to the recent stabbing incident, several Japanese schools in China have reached out to parents, raising concerns and prompting heightened vigilance among families.
The Guangzhou Japanese School has announced the cancellation of specific activities and issued a caution regarding using Japanese in public spaces, advising against speaking it loudly.
In a notable move, the Japanese government sought approximately $2.5 million (£1.9 million) earlier this year to employ security personnel for school buses operating in China.
