Tokyo District Court held the first hearing on Oct. 1 in the case of former
Japan Self‑Defense Forces member Murata, who scaled the wall of the Chinese
embassy on March 24 with a knife. Murata admitted trespassing and violating the
Swords and Firearms Control Law but denied a coercion charge alleging he
threatened embassy staff. Prosecutors have charged him with trespass and
threatening diplomatic personnel; he was arrested at the scene. China’s embassy
lodged a formal protest demanding a responsible explanation from Japan; Tokyo
expressed regret but did not issue an apology.
