10-Year-Old Japanese Boy Fatally Stabbed Near School in China, Suspect in Custody
A 10-year-old Japanese boy who was stabbed near his school in Shenzhen, southern China, has tragically died, Tokyo officials confirmed on Thursday. The attack, which occurred just 200 meters from the Shenzhen Japanese School, has prompted Japan to demand more information from Beijing and request heightened security measures for its citizens.
Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa expressed deep condolences over the incident and criticized the lapse in security, noting that Tokyo had previously urged China to enhance safety protocols around Japanese institutions ahead of a sensitive anniversary marking the Japanese invasion of Manchuria.
The attack took place on Wednesday, and Chinese authorities swiftly arrested a 44-year-old suspect named Zhong, according to a statement from Shenzhen police. The motive for the attack remains unclear, and an investigation is ongoing.
China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Lin Jian acknowledged the stabbing during a press briefing, confirming that the attacker had been detained at the scene. Lin added that further details would be released pending the outcome of the investigation.
Kamikawa reiterated Japan’s concerns about the safety of its citizens in China, stating, “We find it extremely regrettable that this attack occurred despite our earlier requests for increased security around Japanese schools.” She urged Beijing to prevent future incidents and asked Japanese schools in China to reassess their own safety measures.
This fatal stabbing comes just months after a separate knife attack at a Japanese school bus stop in Suzhou, which killed a Chinese national and injured a Japanese mother and child. Japanese authorities have since been urging expatriates in China to remain vigilant amid a spate of similar attacks.
Though Chinese media has not widely reported on the incident, social media users on platforms like Weibo have expressed condolences and condemned the violence. One user wrote, “Please do not harm innocent people, regardless of their nationality.”
The Japanese Embassy in China has issued warnings to its citizens, advising them to take precautions and remain cautious in the wake of these incidents.
