A Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force (GSDF) officer was indicted on Monday for unlawfully entering the Chinese Embassy in Tokyo with a kitchen knife and threatening embassy staff in March, prosecutors said.
Kodai Murata, a 24-year-old second lieutenant assigned to the GSDF’s Camp Ebino in Miyazaki Prefecture, underwent a psychiatric evaluation for about three months before being indicted, News.Az reports, citing Kyodo.
The Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office concluded that he could be held criminally responsible for his actions.
According to the indictment, Murata climbed over a wall equipped with an anti-intrusion fence and entered the embassy compound on March 24 carrying a kitchen knife with an 18-centimeter blade.
The indictment states that he threatened embassy personnel, reportedly declaring, “A patriot will execute you on behalf of Japan’s gods.”
Police previously quoted Murata as saying he entered the embassy to “convey my opinions to the ambassador” and intended to take his own life to “surprise” embassy officials if his message was rejected.
Murata also told investigators that he wanted China to refrain from making hard-line remarks toward Japan.
The incident took place against the backdrop of deteriorating relations between Japan and China following remarks made by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi in November suggesting that an attack on Taiwan could prompt a response from Japan’s Self-Defense Forces.