A 24-year-old Ground Self-Defense Force second lieutenant was indicted Monday for unlawfully entering the Chinese Embassy in Tokyo with a kitchen knife and threatening staff in March.
According to prosecutors, Kodai Murata climbed over an anti-intrusion fence and entered the embassy compound on March 24 carrying an 18-centimeter kitchen knife. He threatened staff with the words, "A patriot will execute you on behalf of Japan's gods."
Murata told police he entered to "convey my opinions to the ambassador" and planned to kill himself to "surprise" officials if rebuffed. He also said he wanted China to refrain from hard-line remarks toward Japan.
The incident occurred amid worsening Japan-China relations after Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's November remarks on Taiwan. Murata underwent psychiatric evaluation for about three months before the Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office concluded he could be held responsible.
