In response to a Japanese Self-Defense Forces officer breaking into the Chinese embassy in Japan on Tuesday, the Foreign Ministry urged the Japanese side on Wednesday to "immediately conduct a thorough investigation into the incident."

The ministry's spokesman Lin Jian said at a daily news conference in Beijing that China "has lodged solemn representations with the Japanese side in both Beijing and Tokyo, and expressed strong dissatisfaction."

"The Chinese embassy in Japan is coordinating with Japanese police on follow-up measures, and the perpetrator has been handed over to the Japanese police," he said.

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Lin noted that information verified and released by Japan's police indicates that the individual is currently serving as a third lieutenant in the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force. He was carrying a knife measuring 18 centimeters and climbed over a wall to enter the embassy.

"We hereby urge the Japanese side to immediately conduct a thorough investigation into the incident, rigorously punish the perpetrator, and provide China with a responsible explanation," he said.

Lin added that the Japanese side had failed to effectively fulfill its obligations as stipulated in the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations and had failed to discharge its special responsibility to protect the inviolability of the embassy and diplomatic representatives.

Prevention of recurrence

Expressing regret over the unlawful break-in, Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara pledged on Wednesday that the Japanese government will take measures to prevent similar incidents from occurring again.

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"It is truly regrettable that an SDF member expected to comply with the law has been arrested on suspicion of unlawful entry," Kihara said at a press conference, adding that the government will respond appropriately in accordance with relevant international and domestic laws and in cooperation with related ministries.

He said police have strengthened security around the embassy, and further measures will be taken in accordance with the investigation findings.

Contact the writer at zhangyunbi@chinadaily.com.cn

With Xinhua inputs