The intruder has been identified as Kodai Murata (村田晃大), 23, a second lieutenant in Japan’s Ground Self-Defense Force (GSDF), stationed at Camp Ebino in Miyazaki Prefecture, according to Kyodo News, citing Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department. A second lieutenant is the lowest officer rank within the GSDF.
The suspect allegedly entered the premises of the Chinese embassy at around 9 a.m. local time, carrying a knife and shouting threatening words. He was initially detained by embassy staff and later arrested by police on suspicion of unlawful entry, the report said.
Japanese police described the incident as “very regrettable” and said round-the-clock security would be provided for the embassy compound.
The GSDF said it would cooperate fully with the police and deal with the case “strictly,” proceeding “based on facts.”