China demands more than just ‘regret’ from Japan after embassy break-in
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A Japanese police officer stands guard in front of the Chinese Embassy in Tokyo, Japan, on March 25.
PHOTO: REUTERS
BEIJING - Japan has expressed its “regret” over the break-in into the Chinese embassy in Tokyo by a knife-wielding Japanese military officer, but that is “far from enough”, said the Chinese foreign ministry on March 27.
The Japan side has still not said anything about the details of the incident, Mr Lin Jian, spokesperson at the foreign ministry, told a regular news conference.
Mr Minoru Kihara, Japan’s top government spokesperson, has described the incident on March 24 as “regrettable” and said the government would take measures to prevent any recurrence.
The incident threatens to exacerbate Sino-Japanese ties.
Relations have already deteriorated since November when the Japanese prime minister said Japan could deploy its military if a Chinese move against Taiwan also threatened its territory.
“The Japanese side has expressed deep regret to the Chinese side regarding this incident, but this is far from sufficient,” said Mr Lin.
“We once again urge the Japanese side to conduct a thorough investigation as soon as possible and provide China with a responsible explanation.”
Japan’s Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi said on March 27 that the incident was “truly regrettable” and that his ministry was “fully cooperating” with the police investigation under way.
“We will also respond strictly once the facts have been established,” he said. REUTERS
