Japan demands clarity from China after stabbing of student

The Japanese Prime Minister has called on Beijing to investigate the fatal knife attack on a 10-year-old boy in Shenzhen. This is the second knife attack on Japanese children in China in recent months.

Japan's Prime Minister has asked Beijing for clarification on the fatal knife attack on a 10-year-old boy in Shenzhen. This is the second knife attack on Japanese children in China in recent months. The boy, whose father is Japanese and whose mother is Chinese, was attacked on his way to school about 200 meters from the school gate. He was taken to hospital but succumbed to his injuries.

Official answers

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida condemned the attack as a “heinous crime and a serious and grave matter” and called on China to ensure the safety of Japanese citizens. He said: “We urge the Chinese side to explain the facts of the case. Since more than a day has passed since the crime was committed, we have instructed them to issue an explanation as soon as possible.”

The Chinese Foreign Ministry subsequently expressed “regret and sorrow” over the incident, calling it a “regrettable incident.” A spokesman said the case was being investigated and handled by Chinese authorities in accordance with the law.

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Historical context

The stabbing coincided with the anniversary of the “918” incident in 1931, a sensitive date in China that marks the beginning of the Japanese invasion of the region. Chinese nationalism, xenophobia and anti-Japanese sentiments were reportedly on the rise, often fuelled by state media.

Previous incidents

This latest attack follows a similar incident in June, when a Japanese mother and her child were stabbed to death outside a school bus in Suzhou, resulting in the death of a bus attendant who intervened. Following that attack, the Japanese Foreign Ministry had called on Japanese schools in China to review their safety protocols.

Growing concern

The recent series of attacks on foreigners in China has raised alarm in the Japanese community. Public sentiment against Japan has historical roots dating back to Japan's invasion and occupation of China, and current territorial disputes are further fueling tensions. In 2012, widespread anti-Japanese protests erupted due to a dispute over disputed islands.

Local reactions

Residents of Shenzhen expressed their shock and anger over the stabbing, with some leaving flowers and letters at school gates in memory of the deceased child. Growing hostility towards Japanese schools in China has become a cause for concern for Japanese families living there, with some online posts calling for the schools to be closed and accusing the schools of spying.

Social media and censorship

Following the attacks, Chinese social media platforms cracked down on hate speech against Japanese people and deleted content that promoted “extreme nationalism.” However, anti-Japanese sentiment persists, with some nationalists accusing Japan of orchestrating the attacks.

Diploma

The Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson expressed his belief that this “isolated case” will not affect future exchanges between China and Japan. He reiterated that China is open to accepting people from Japan for various reasons, including business and education.

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