GSDF Officer Arrested for Trespassing at Chinese Embassy, Beijing Calls for Thorough Investigation

The Yomiuri Shimbun

12:52 JST, March 25, 2026

A Ground Self-Defense Force officer allegedly trespassed on the premises of the Chinese Embassy in the Moto-Azabu district of Minato Ward, Tokyo, and was arrested by the Metropolitan Police Department on Tuesday night.

The suspect was identified as Kodai Murata, 23, a second lieutenant stationed at the GSDF’s Ebino Garrison in Ebino, Miyazaki Prefecture.

According to the MPD, Murata entered the embassy grounds at about 9 a.m. on Tuesday and was subdued by embassy staff.

The MPD quoted Murata as admitting to the allegations during questioning. “I wanted to meet with the ambassador and tell him to refrain from making aggressive remarks toward Japan,” Murata was quoted as saying. “I thought if my request was rejected, I would commit suicide to shock them.”

A weapon resembling a kitchen knife with a blade of about 18 centimeters, believed to have been brought by the suspect, was found in the shrubbery on the embassy grounds. No embassy staff were injured in the incident.

Murata told the MPD that he left the garrison on Monday afternoon and traveled to Tokyo via highway bus and Shinkansen train. He told investigators that he stayed at an internet cafe and purchased the knife at a shop in Tokyo.

According to investigative sources, Murata is believed to have scaled a fence from an adjacent building to enter the embassy premises.

At a press conference on Tuesday, a spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry said Beijing had “lodged strong demarches and protests with Japan.”

“The incident … posed a grave threat to the safety and security of Chinese diplomatic personnel and facilities. The incident is egregious in both nature and impact,” the spokesperson said, demanding that Japan conduct a thorough investigation and punish those involved.