18-9-2024 (SHENZHEN) A shocking incident unfolded in the southern Chinese city of Shenzhen on Wednesday morning, as a Japanese primary school student fell victim to a knife attack on his way to school. The attack, which occurred on a historically sensitive date, has raised concerns about the safety of Japanese nationals in China and the state of Sino-Japanese relations.
According to a Japanese government source speaking to Kyodo News, the young boy was stabbed by an unidentified assailant. The child’s current condition remains unknown, adding to the gravity of the situation. Earlier reports from Japan had only mentioned that a man had been taken into custody for questioning by local authorities following an attack.
A spokesperson from the Japanese embassy in Beijing confirmed the attack and stated that the boy is currently receiving medical treatment in hospital. However, details regarding the victim’s identity and the severity of his injuries have not been disclosed, likely to protect the privacy of the minor and his family.
The timing of this incident is particularly noteworthy, as it coincided with the anniversary of the 918 Incident, also known as the Manchurian Incident. This event, which occurred in 1931, is widely regarded in China as the beginning of Japan’s invasion and is considered a day of national humiliation. The sensitive nature of this date adds a layer of complexity to the attack.
In response to the incident, Japanese government spokesman Hiroshi Moriya addressed the press in Tokyo, stating, “From the perspective of protecting Japanese nationals, we have made requests to local authorities for measures to prevent a recurrence and to share detailed information.” This statement underscores the Japanese government’s concern for the safety of its citizens in China and its desire for transparency in the investigation.
The Japanese consulate-general in Guangdong province has dispatched staff to the scene to gather information and provide necessary assistance. This swift response demonstrates the seriousness with which Japanese authorities are treating the incident.
While September marks the anniversary of normalised diplomatic relations between China and Japan, the attack serves as a stark reminder of the underlying tensions that can occasionally surface. Despite decades of bilateral ties, anti-Japanese sentiment remains a concern in some quarters of Chinese society.
This incident follows a similar attack in June, where a Japanese mother and her young child were injured by a knife-wielding man at a bus stop in Suzhou, eastern China. That attack, which resulted in the death of a Chinese bus attendant who tried to intervene, sparked both national grief and a surge of anti-Japanese sentiment on Chinese social media platforms.
