Japanese defense forces personnel arrested after breaking into Chinese embassy’

ISTANBUL

A Japanese defense force member has been arrested after breaking into the Chinese embassy in Tokyo on Tuesday, local media reported, citing the Metropolitan Police.

The Metropolitan Police Department said a 23-year-old second lieutenant of the Ground Self-Defense Force, Kodai Murata, stationed at a camp in Miyazaki province, was initially detained by embassy staff and has since been arrested on suspicion of unlawfully entering the premises, according to Kyodo News.

Police said the man was believed to have been carrying a knife found near the scene, though no one was injured.

Earlier in the day, Beijing called for a probe after saying that a man identifying himself as security personnel "scaled the wall into the Chinese Embassy in Tokyo."

“A man who called himself a sitting officer of the Self Defense Forces of Japan scaled the wall into the Chinese Embassy in Japan,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian told reporters in Beijing.

The man, Lin said, “admitted this is illegal and he threatened to kill Chinese diplomatic personnel.”

“China is deeply shocked at this incident and lodged a strong protest with Japan,” said Lin.

There was no immediate statement from the Japanese side on the incident.

This incident constitutes a “grave violation of the Vienna Convention, diplomatic relations and severe threat” to the safety of Chinese diplomatic personnel and facilities.

“The incident is egregious in both nature and impact and it once again demonstrates rampant far-right ideology and forces in Japan,” Lin alleged.

The ministry spokesman demanded answers from the Japanese government, adding the incident shows Tokyo “does not discipline well its Self Defense Forces personnel.”

“China urges the Japanese side to get to the bottom of the incident, bring the relevant personnel to justice and give China a responsible answer,” said Lin, urging Tokyo to ensure the safety of Chinese missions in Japan and prevent such incidents in the future.

The incident comes as ties between the two nations have deteriorated since last year.