Japan slammed over slow probe into embassy attack

China has criticized the lack of progress in Japan's investigation into and handling of a case involving a Self-Defense Forces officer who allegedly entered the Chinese embassy in Tokyo armed with a knife, urging Japan to take full responsibility for the incident.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian made the remarks on Wednesday after the Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office reportedly decided to extend the detention of Kodai Murata, a second lieutenant in Japan's Ground Self-Defense Force, for psychiatric assessment to determine whether he can be held criminally responsible for his actions.

Nearly three months have passed since Murata illegally broke into the Chinese embassy in Tokyo.

Lin said incidents threatening the security of Chinese diplomatic missions in Japan have continued to occur, adding that China has expressed grave concerns and lodged protests against the Japanese side on many occasions.

The case exposes a number of deep-seated problems in Japan, including worsening right-wing influence and the suppression of objective and rational voices, he said.

Lin also listed the toxicity of the Japanese government's erroneous policies on vital issues concerning China-Japan relations, including history and Taiwan, the serious lack of education on true history and the pervasive erroneous historical views.

There is also an ongoing push in Japan for a more offensive and expansionist defense policy, and a failure in the oversight and discipline of the Self-Defense Forces, he said.

Lin noted that several prominent figures in Japan have called on the government to apologize to China.

Some have urged Tokyo to reflect on itself and take corrective actions concerning the supervision of the SDF, the education on history and Japan's policy toward China, so as to fundamentally address the issue and remove its breeding ground in society.

"We once again urge the Japanese side to do serious soul-searching, correct its wrongdoings, conduct a thorough probe and take full responsibility for the incident," Lin said.

zhoujin@chinadaily.com.cn