Japan races to limit fallout from Chinese embassy break-in

But observers and local media say the incident has given Beijing an opening to reinforce claims of rising militarism and anti-China sentiment in Japan.

Yoshinobu Kusunoki, commissioner general of the National Police Agency, on Monday called the break-in on March 24 “extremely unusual and serious”, adding that it “should not have happened”.

His remarks echoed those of Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi, who earlier said it was “deeply regrettable that a member of the Self-Defence Force, who is expected to abide by the law, has been arrested on suspicion of trespassing”.

The suspect, Kodai Murata, 23, a second lieutenant based at Camp Ebino in Miyazaki prefecture, was detained inside the embassy compound. He told police he wanted to “convey my opinions to the ambassador” – specifically, to urge China to abandon what he regarded as its hardline stance towards Japan.