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2026 intrusion at the Embassy of China, Tokyo

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On 24 March 2026, a member of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force armed with a knife broke into the Embassy of China in Japan, located in Minato, Tokyo. Although no one was injured, the incident attracted attention from media outlets in both China and Japan.

Chinese Embassy in Tokyo intrusion
Embassy of China, Tokyo
LocationTokyo, Japan
Date24 March 2026
8:55 a.m.
TargetEmbassy of China, Tokyo

Intrusion

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At around 8:00 a.m. on 24 March 2026, Kodai Murata (村田晃大), a third lieutenant of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, arrived at the Chinese Embassy in Japan, carrying his Self-Defense Force identification and a knife with an 18-centimeter blade in his backpack.[1] He wandered around for an hour looking for a way to enter.[2] At 8:55 a.m., Murata climbed over the wall through the fourth floor of a nearby building, but still got two or three cuts on his hands from barbed wire.[3] Murata then hid in the green belt.[4] When staff passed by, he called out to them and said he wanted to see the ambassador.[2] At this time, he was not holding a knife. Embassy staff subdued him.[5] Murata admitted that his actions were illegal and threatened to kill Chinese diplomats "in the name of God".[6]

At 12:40 p.m., the Chinese Embassy in Japan contacted the Azabu Police Station of the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department, and around the same time contacted the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.[7][8] The police arrived at the embassy at around 1 p.m. and found the knife in the embassy's green belt.[9] At around 4 p.m., the police took Kodai Murata to the Azabu Police Station.[7] At the same time, Lin Jian, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China, disclosed the incident at the regular press conference of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs[10] At 9:09 p.m., the police arrested Kodai Murata on suspicion of breaking into the building and informed reporters of the incident at 10 p.m.[8]

Suspect

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The suspect is 23-year-old Kodai Murata, a third lieutenant in the Ground Self-Defense Force. He was born in Kurashiki, Okayama Prefecture in 2002.[11] He graduated from Philosophy, Faculty of Letters, Sophia University in March 2025.[12][13] He then entered the Ground Self-Defense Force Officer Candidate School for further studies and graduated in January 2026.[14][15] In January, he was assigned to the Ebino Garrison in Ebino, Miyazaki Prefecture.[8] He joined the Field Special Forces and was responsible for operations related to howitzer operations. He had not yet received specialized training. He was promoted to third lieutenant on 15 March and became an officer. the Ground Self-Defense Force Fuji School in April to receive a junior officer course.[12]

The day before the incident, Kodai Murata was absent from work without cause. He took a highway bus from Ebino City to Hakata Station, and then took the Shinkansen to Tokyo.[16] He bought knives around Tokyo Station and spent the night at a nearby internet cafe.[17]

At the regular press conference of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China on 24 March, Lin Jian replied to a question from a reporter of the Global Times, saying that Murata Akio forcibly broke into the Chinese Embassy in Japan by climbing over the wall. When he was arrested, he admitted that his behavior was illegal and threatened to kill Chinese diplomats in the name of God, which seriously violated the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.[18] The Metropolitan Police Department said that the suspect confessed that he heard God say in his dream that China's "tough talk" should be stopped.[19] Therefore, he wanted to meet with the Chinese ambassador and hoped that the ambassador would restrain his tough talk.[20] He also said that if the ambassador did not accept his opinion, he would commit suicide with a knife, which shocked the ambassador.[8][21][22][23]

On 26 March, Kota Murata was transferred from the Azabu Police Station to the Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office. In the transport vehicle, Murata smiled at the reporters' cameras.[24] On 14 April, the Metropolitan Police Department arrested Kodai Murata again on suspicion of violating the Firearm and Sword Possession Control Law by possessing a knife in the embassy compound.[25]

Reactions

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On 24 March, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs lodged a strong protest with Japan on the matter, criticizing the rampant spread of far-right ideology, security negligence, and mismanagement of the expansion of the Japan Self-Defense Forces.[26][27] The Chinese Embassy also lodged a protest with the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.[28] On the same day, the Ground Self-Defense Force acknowledged the incident and said it would cooperate with the Metropolitan Police Department's investigation.[20] The Metropolitan Police Department expressed regret over the incident and said it would increase security personnel and take security measures.[29]

On the morning of 25 March, Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara stated that it was regrettable that a Self-Defense Force officer who should have abided by the law had been arrested, and that he would prevent similar incidents from happening again,[30] and strengthen security measures at the Chinese Embassy.[31] On 27 March, Japanese Defense Minister Shinjirō Koizumi also made a similar statement when meeting with reporters.[32] The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the Japanese side's expression of regret was far from sufficient, and that the Japanese side should thoroughly investigate the matter as soon as possible.[33] On 26 March, the Ministry of Defense held a press conference to explain the incident and expressed regret over it. The Self-Defense Forces stated that they did not find any obvious problems with Murata Kota's work attitude.[34] On the same day, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Chinese Embassy in Japan once again reminded Chinese citizens to avoid traveling to Japan recently.[35]

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On 16 April, Shi Yong, Chargé d'Affaires ad interim of the Chinese Embassy in Japan, held a press conference to introduce the situation of the embassy being threatened by terrorists in March. He first showed a threatening letter received on 5 March.[36] It was handwritten in Japanese and the text was messy.[37] The letter claimed to be "a military elite force composed of former police officers and self-defense officers from special forces" and announced that "we will eliminate all Shina people in Japan without leaving any survivors."[38] "This is a declaration of war against you Shina people."[39] The embassy said that it immediately called the police after receiving the threatening letter, but the Japanese side did not take it seriously and has not yet found out the truth. On 31 March, another person claiming to be an emergency prepared self-defense officer said on social media that he had installed a remote-controlled bomb in the embassy.[38][39] The embassy immediately called the police, and the Japanese police carried out a bomb disposal operation at the embassy for nearly two hours that day.[36] The embassy also displayed a photo of the 18-centimeter-long knife carried by Kodai Murata. The embassy has negotiated with the Japanese police nearly 30 times regarding the recent series of terrorist threats, but the investigation into the relevant cases has made no progress. China once again strongly urges Japan to expedite the investigation, severely punish those involved in accordance with the law, and give a responsible explanation to China.[39]

References

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  1. ↑ "陸上自衛官の身分証持つ男が中国大使館敷地内に侵入か 大使館の関係者が取り押さえる 敷地内で刃物1本発見もけが人なし 警視庁が捜査" [A man carrying a Japan Ground Self-Defense Force identification card allegedly trespassed onto the grounds of the Chinese Embassy. Embassy officials apprehended him. A knife was found on the grounds, but no one was injured. The Metropolitan Police Department is investigating.]. TBS News (in Japanese). 2026-03-24. Retrieved 2026-03-24.
  2. 1 2 "中国大使館侵入事件、自衛官を銃刀法違反容疑で再逮捕 包丁を携帯か" [In the Chinese embassy intrusion case, a Self-Defense Forces officer was re-arrested on suspicion of violating the Firearms and Swords Control Law; he may have been carrying a kitchen knife.]. The Asahi Shimbun (in Japanese). 2026-04-14. Retrieved 2026-04-14.
  3. ↑ "中国大使館に男性が侵入 自衛隊所属、刃物所持との情報も". 毎日新聞 (in Japanese). 2026-03-24. Retrieved 2026-03-24.
  4. ↑ "大使館侵入の自衛官 隣接ビルから弊を乗り越えたか 事件前日には刃物購入で計画的犯行とみて捜査" [Self-Defense Forces officer who broke into the embassy may have climbed over a barrier in an adjacent building; he purchased a knife the day before the incident, leading investigators to believe it was a premeditated crime.]. FNN Prime Online. 2026-03-26. Retrieved 2026-03-28.
  5. ↑ "中国大使館侵入疑いで逮捕の自衛官 植え込みに隠れ声かけたか" [Self-Defense Forces officer arrested on suspicion of trespassing into Chinese embassy may have hidden in bushes and called out to people.]. NHK (in Japanese). 2026-03-29. Archived from the original on 2026-03-29. Retrieved 2026-03-29.
  6. ↑ "中国外交部：自称日本自卫队成员闯入使馆 威胁杀死外交人员" [Chinese Foreign Ministry: Claimants of being members of the Japanese Self-Defense Forces broke into the embassy and threatened to kill diplomatic personnel.]. Lianhe Zaobao (in Simplified Chinese). 2026-03-24. Retrieved 2026-03-24.
  7. 1 2 "陸上自衛官の中国大使館侵入 中国は日本より5時間以上早く発表 情報戦で負けた？ 立憲議員が追及「危機感の欠如を感じる」" [Japan Ground Self-Defense Force officer intrudes into Chinese embassy; China announces incident more than 5 hours earlier than Japan; Did Japan lose the information war? Constitutional Democratic Party lawmaker pursues the matter, stating, "I feel a lack of a sense of crisis."]. Yahoo Japan (in Japanese). 2026-03-27. Retrieved 2026-03-28.
  8. 1 2 3 4 "中国大使館に侵入疑い、3等陸尉を逮捕 「意見を伝えたかった」" [A third lieutenant was arrested on suspicion of trespassing into the Chinese embassy; he claimed he "wanted to express his opinion."]. Mainichi Shimbun (in Japanese). 2026-03-24. Archived from the original on 2026-03-25. Retrieved 2026-03-24.
  9. ↑ "陸上自衛官の中国大使館侵入 中国は日本より5時間以上早く発表 情報戦で負けた？ 立憲議員が追及「危機感の欠如を感じる」" [Japan Ground Self-Defense Force officer intrudes into Chinese embassy; China announces incident more than 5 hours earlier than Japan; Did Japan lose the information war? Constitutional Democratic Party lawmaker pursues the matter, saying, "I sense a lack of urgency."]. Yahoo Japan (in Japanese). 2026-03-27. Retrieved 2026-03-28.
  10. ↑ "〈中国大使館に幹部自衛官が侵入〉中国は「"神の名"において殺害すると脅迫受けた」日本は「大使に意見聞き入れられなければ自決も」供述の発表が真逆…日本は公表遅れで「主導権取られた」" [<Senior Self-Defense Forces Officer Infiltrates Chinese Embassy> China claims he was threatened with death "in the name of God," while Japan says he would commit suicide if the ambassador did not heed his concerns. The statements released are diametrically opposed... Japan claims its delayed announcement meant it "lost control."]. Yahoo Japan (in Japanese). 2026-03-25. Archived from the original on 2026-03-25. Retrieved 2026-03-25.
  11. ↑ "《 "エリート陸尉"村田晃大容疑者の母親肉声》「連絡もなく、どうしてこんなことに…」中国大使館に侵入し「『神々に代わって』と脅迫」した自衛官の生育環境とは" [《The voice of the mother of suspect "elite Ground Self-Defense Force officer" Kodai Murata》 "He didn't contact us at all, how did this happen..." What kind of upbringing did the Self-Defense Force officer who broke into the Chinese embassy and "threatened by saying 'I am speaking on behalf of the gods'" have?]. NEWS Post Seven (in Japanese). 2026-03-26. Retrieved 2026-03-27.
  12. 1 2 "防卫省披露擅闯中国大使馆的自卫官详细信息" [The Ministry of Defense has released detailed information about the Self-Defense Force officer who trespassed on the Chinese Embassy.]. Kyodo News (in Chinese (China)). 2026-03-26. Retrieved 2026-03-26.
  13. ↑ "《中国大使館で「神の名のもとに殺害する」》反中エリート陸上自衛隊員・村田晃大（23）を育んだ厳格薬剤師と上智大哲学科" ["I will kill him in the name of God" at the Chinese Embassy: The strict pharmacist and Sophia University philosophy department that nurtured Murata Koda (23), an anti-China elite member of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force.]. Weekly Bunshun (in Japanese). 2026-04-01. Retrieved 2026-04-02.
  14. ↑ "事件前日に宮崎の駐屯地出発か 中国大使館侵入疑い、３等陸尉" [Third Lieutenant suspected of infiltrating Chinese Embassy; suspected of leaving Miyazaki base the day before the incident.]. Web To-O (in Japanese). 2026-03-25. Retrieved 2026-03-25.
  15. ↑ "陸上自衛隊えびの駐屯地の3等陸尉(23) 中国大使館への侵入容疑で逮捕" [A 23-year-old third lieutenant from the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force's Ebino Garrison was arrested on suspicion of trespassing into the Chinese Embassy.]. TBS News (in Japanese). 2026-03-25. Retrieved 2026-03-25.
  16. ↑ "事件前日に九州から新幹線で上京か 中国大使館侵入で23歳陸自隊員逮捕 宮崎・えびの駐屯地所属 仕事を無断で休み" [The 23-year-old Ground Self-Defense Force member arrested for trespassing into the Chinese Embassy; he is stationed at the Ebino Garrison in Miyazaki Prefecture and had taken unauthorized leave from work.]. Livedoor News (in Japanese). 2026-03-25. Retrieved 2026-03-25.
  17. ↑ "中国大使館に侵入疑い 陸上自衛官の男逮捕 前日に上京し東京駅周辺に宿泊" [A Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force officer was arrested on suspicion of trespassing into the Chinese embassy. He had traveled to Tokyo the day before and stayed near Tokyo Station.]. Seto Inland Sea Broadcasting (in Japanese). 2026-03-25. Retrieved 2026-03-25.
  18. ↑ "2026年3月24日外交部发言人林剑主持例行记者会" [Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian held a regular press conference on March 24, 2026.]. Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Retrieved 2026-03-24.
  19. ↑ "中国大使館侵入事件 自衛官「夢で神のお告げ聞いた」供述" [In the Chinese Embassy intrusion incident, a Self-Defense Force officer testified that he "heard a divine message in a dream."]. NHK (in Japanese). 2026-04-14. Retrieved 2026-04-14.
  20. 1 2 "中国大使館に侵入疑い、23歳の陸自隊員逮捕 「大使に面会するため」" [A 23-year-old Ground Self-Defense Force member was arrested on suspicion of trespassing into the Chinese embassy, claiming he was there "to meet with the ambassador."]. The Nikkei (in Japanese). 2026-03-24. Retrieved 2026-03-24.
  21. ↑ "详讯2：日本警方逮捕闯入中国大使馆的自卫队官员" [Detailed Report 2: Japanese police arrest Self-Defense Force officials who broke into the Chinese Embassy]. Kyodo News (in Chinese (China)). 2026-03-25. Retrieved 2026-03-25.
  22. ↑ "在日中国大使館に侵入疑い 3等陸尉逮捕、現場に刃物" [A third lieutenant in the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force was arrested on suspicion of trespassing into the Chinese Embassy in Japan; a knife was found at the scene.]. 47NEWS (in Japanese). 2026-03-24. Retrieved 2026-03-25.
  23. ↑ "【独自】在日中国大使館に男侵入 「対日強硬姿勢に直談判したかった」" [[Exclusive] Man breaks into Chinese Embassy in Japan: "I wanted to directly confront them about their hardline stance against Japan"]. Yahoo Japan (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 2026-03-24. Retrieved 2026-03-24.
  24. ↑ "《送検時には薄ら笑い》中国大使館侵入で逮捕の幹部自衛官（23） 所属駐屯地が明かした「意外な勤務態度」" ["Smirking when being handed over to prosecutors": The Self-Defense Forces officer (23) arrested for trespassing into the Chinese embassy revealed his "unexpected work attitude" at his base.]. Josei Jishin (in Japanese). 2026-03-26. Retrieved 2026-03-27.
  25. ↑ "快讯：日警方再次逮捕闯入中国使馆的自卫官" [Breaking News: Japanese police arrest another Self-Defense Force officer who broke into the Chinese embassy.]. Kyodo News (in Chinese (China)). 2026-04-14. Retrieved 2026-04-14.
  26. ↑ "驻东京使馆遭强闯 中方批日安保失责" [China criticizes Japan for security failure after its embassy in Tokyo was forcibly broken into.]. Deutsche Welle (in Chinese). 2026-03-24. Archived from the original on 2026-03-24. Retrieved 2026-03-24.
  27. ↑ "2026年3月24日外交部发言人林剑主持例行记者会" [Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian held a regular press conference on March 24, 2026.]. Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 24 March 2026. Retrieved 2026-03-24.
  28. ↑ "中国驻日本大使馆就日本不法之徒强行闯入向日方提出严正交涉和强烈抗议" [The Chinese Embassy in Japan lodged a strong protest and made serious representations to the Japanese side regarding the illegal intrusion by Japanese lawbreakers.]. Embassy of China in Japan. 2026-03-24. Retrieved 2026-03-24.
  29. ↑ "中国大使館敷地内に侵入した疑い 陸上自衛官を逮捕" [Ground Self-Defense Force officer arrested on suspicion of trespassing on Chinese embassy grounds.]. NHK (in Japanese). 2026-03-24. Retrieved 2026-03-24.
  30. ↑ 木原官房長官 自衛官逮捕 “誠に遺憾 適切対応”中国側に説明 [Chief Cabinet Secretary Kihara explains to China that the arrest of a Self-Defense Forces officer is "truly regrettable" and that appropriate measures were taken.]. NHK (in Japanese). 2026-03-25. Retrieved 2026-03-25.
  31. ↑ "自卫队员强闯中国使馆 日方：遗憾、增派警力驻守" [Self-Defense Force members stormed the Chinese Embassy; Japan expressed regret and stated it would increase police presence.]. Deutsche Welle (in Chinese). 2026-03-24. Archived from the original on 2026-03-26. Retrieved 2026-03-27.
  32. ↑ 小泉防衛大臣「法と規律を順守すべき自衛官が逮捕されたことは誠に遺憾」　中国大使館侵入容疑で陸上自衛官逮捕受け [Defense Minister Koizumi: "It is truly regrettable that a Self-Defense Forces officer, who should abide by the law and discipline, has been arrested." Following the arrest of a Ground Self-Defense Force officer on suspicion of trespassing into the Chinese embassy.]. TBS News. 2026-03-27. Retrieved 2026-03-27.
  33. ↑ "外交部：日方表示遗憾远远不够 敦促其尽快彻查" [Foreign Ministry: Japan's expression of regret is far from sufficient; we urge them to conduct a thorough investigation as soon as possible.]. Sina Corporation (in Chinese). 2026-03-27. Retrieved 2026-03-27.
  34. ↑ "中国大使館侵入の陸自隊員は「勤務態度に問題なし」 防衛省が説明" [The Defense Ministry explained that the Ground Self-Defense Force member who infiltrated the Chinese embassy "had no problems with his work performance."]. The Nikkei (in Japanese). 2026-03-26. Retrieved 2026-03-26.
  35. ↑ "外交部领事司提醒中国公民近期避免前往日本-" [The Consular Affairs Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs reminds Chinese citizens to avoid traveling to Japan recently.]. Xinhua News Agency. 2026-03-26. Retrieved 2026-03-26.
  36. 1 2 "视频丨中国驻日大使馆接连遭到恐怖威胁 相关情况披露" [Video | Chinese Embassy in Japan Receives Repeated Terrorist Threats; Details Revealed]. China Central Television. 2026-04-16. Retrieved 2026-04-16.
  37. ↑ "详讯：中国驻日大使馆称收到恐吓信" [Detailed report: Chinese Embassy in Japan says it received threatening letter]. Kyodo News (in Chinese (China)). 2026-04-16. Retrieved 2026-04-16.
  38. 1 2 "在日中国大使館が連続脅迫を受けたと明かす 刃物自衛官事件の前後、「軍事的精鋭部隊」など名乗る相手から" [The Chinese Embassy in Japan revealed it had received a series of threats, both before and after the knife attack by the Self-Defense Forces officer, from individuals claiming to be from "military elite units."]. Tokyo Shimbun (in Japanese). 2026-04-16. Retrieved 2026-04-16.
  39. 1 2 3 Chen, Ze'an (2026-04-16). "中国驻日使馆：敦促日方查清系列恐怖威胁事件 保障中方人员安全" [Chinese Embassy in Japan: Urges Japan to investigate the series of terrorist threats and ensure the safety of Chinese personnel.]. Xinhua News Agency. Retrieved 2026-04-16.
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