Japanese Foreign Minister speaks about stabbing during UN visit

Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa announced on Monday that she will meet with her Chinese counterpart Wang Yi during her visit to New York.

Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa announced on Monday that she will meet with her Chinese counterpart Wang Yi during her visit to New York. The focus of the discussion will be the tragic stabbing attack on a student in Shenzhen, China, which has raised serious concerns about the safety of Japanese citizens abroad.

Details of the incident and government response

Kamikawa described the stabbing as “very tragic” and reflected on the emotional impact of the incident. This statement came shortly before her departure from Tokyo. “We will … urge China to make a clear statement of the facts and ensure the safety of the Japanese people, especially children,” she stressed, the Japanese Foreign Ministry reported.

In response to the attack, Japan will provide 43 million yen to improve security measures at Japanese schools in China. This investment underscores the urgency of the situation and Japan's commitment to protecting its citizens.

Diplomatic efforts and reactions

Kamikawa's trip to New York is scheduled for three days, during which she will attend the United Nations General Assembly. At the same time, Japan's deputy foreign minister has been dispatched to Beijing to discuss the stabbing attack with Chinese officials.

Following the attack, Beijing expressed its “regret and sadness” and described it as an isolated incident that “could happen in any country.” The victim was reportedly a 10-year-old Japanese national living in Shenzhen. The Chinese Foreign Ministry noted that the child's parents are Japanese and Chinese nationals, respectively. Authorities have arrested a 44-year-old man suspected of committing the stabbing.

Political context and historical significance

The attack has raised doubts about its possible political motives, particularly because it took place on September 18, a date associated with the 1931 “Mukden Incident,” known in China as a day of national humiliation. The timing has led to speculation about its impact on Sino-Japanese relations.

This is not the first violent incident involving Japanese citizens in China. In June, a Japanese mother and her child were injured in a knife attack in Suzhou. At the time, the Chinese Foreign Ministry described the attack as another “isolated incident.” A 55-year-old Chinese woman died while trying to intervene during the attack and was subsequently honored by local authorities for her bravery.

Tense relations and recent developments

Relations between Japan and China have become increasingly strained, particularly because China plays a dominant role in territorial disputes in the region. At the same time, Japan has strengthened its security ties with the United States and other allies.

Despite these tensions, there has recently been some easing in some areas, with Beijing announcing that it would “gradually resume” imports of seafood from Japan, following an import ban imposed last August following the release of water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant.

In a related development, Japan reported that a Chinese aircraft carrier had sailed between two Japanese islands near Taiwan for the first time. Tokyo condemned the incident as “totally unacceptable.” China insisted that its actions were in line with international law.