Consul General in Guangzhou Yoshiko Kijima (left, front) explains to reporters on September 19 that the Japanese boy who was stabbed by a Chinese man on the way to school has died. (©Kyodo)
On September 18, a Chinese man stabbed a 10-year-old boy on his way to the Japanese school in Shenzhen, near Hong Kong. The boy was walking with his mother when the attack took place. He later died from his wounds.
We feel deep sadness at the tragic loss of an innocent boy's life. Overwhelmingly, we share an intense anger at this senseless and despicable act of violence. As we mourn the boy, we also express condolences to his family.
A similar incident occurred in the city of Suzhou, near Shanghai, in June. In that incident, a Japanese mother and her child were stabbed and injured while waiting for the bus to take students to the local Japanese school.
Why Is China So Unsafe?
Has it reached the point where Japanese nationals cannot safely stay in China? If that is so, whether for business or school, no Japanese will feel secure living there.
At a news conference, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Li Jian expressed regret for the "unfortunate incident." However, he deflected responsibility, emphasizing that "a similar incident could happen in any country." Then he gratuitously added that "it will not affect Japan-China exchanges or cooperation."
Such flippant remarks are unforgivable. Japanese have been attacked one after another in China in a short span of time. Nothing like that has happened in any other country. The Chinese government must reflect deeply on the current situation and implement concrete measures to prevent a recurrence.
Why Aren't the Chinese Explaining the Cases?
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said, "We strongly demand that the Chinese side explain the facts of the case." But why haven't the Chinese authorities already done so of their own volition? It is time to directly pressure China's leaders to act.
The attack on the youngster in Shenzhen occurred on September 18, the 93rd anniversary of the Mukden Incident of 1931. It is a day when anti-Japan sentiment tends to rise in China. However, it is unclear whether that had anything to do with the Shenzhen attack.
The Japanese government must press the Chinese side to disclose information such as the motive for the crime. Meanwhile, the Chinese have still not revealed the motive for the June attack in Suzhou.
Encouraging Anti-Japan Sentiment
Chinese officials should clarify whether, in the most recent case, the suspect in custody specifically targeted Japanese. If he did, then even bolstering security for Japanese residents would not lead to a fundamental solution to the problem.
The root of the problem is to be found in the anti-Japan education carried out by the Chinese Communist Party leadership in Beijing. The same holds true for the repeated incidents of Chinese defacing the Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo with anti-Japan slogans.
China must alter its stance of inciting anti-Japanese sentiment for political reasons. Until it does so, it may never be possible to ensure the safety of Japanese residing in China.
Protecting Japanese Citizens
The Japanese government should urge Japanese citizens to refrain from non-essential travel to China. And companies must consider whether expatriates and their families should return to Japan. Furthermore, the Japanese government should provide housing and educational support for families who do return.
We cannot allow tragedies such as occurred in Suzhou and Shenzhen to happen ever again.
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(Read the editorial in Japanese.)
Author: Editorial Board, The Sankei Shimbun
