Tragic: 10-year-old boy stabbed near Japanese school in China

In a shocking incident, a 10-year-old boy attending a Japanese school in southern China met a tragic end after being stabbed on his way to class on Wednesday. This marks the second knife attack near a Japanese school in the country in recent months, as reported by Tokyo’s foreign minister.

The brutal attack took place just 200 meters (650 feet) from the gates of the Japanese school in Shenzhen, a bustling tech-hub metropolis that houses numerous Japanese businesses, according to China’s foreign ministry. A 44-year-old suspect was swiftly apprehended at the scene and taken into custody by the local police.

While Japanese and Chinese authorities did not disclose the victim’s nationality, it is worth noting that Japanese nationality is a prerequisite for enrollment at the Shenzhen Japanese School, as indicated on its website.

Expressing deep regret over the incident, Japan’s Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating, “The fact that such a despicable act was committed against a child on his way to school is truly regrettable. We take this incident extremely seriously, and we have once again requested that the Chinese side ensure the safety of Japanese nationals.”

The attack occurred on a significant date, coinciding with the anniversary of the “918” incident in 1931, a historical event that symbolizes Japan’s invasion of China. This emotionally charged day is commemorated in China as a reminder of national humiliation, with state media and officials urging the public to never forget this dark chapter.

While the motive behind Wednesday’s attack remains undisclosed by Chinese authorities, rising nationalism, xenophobia, and anti-Japanese sentiment in the country have become growing concerns, often fueled by state media.

Not long ago, in June, a Chinese man carried out a stabbing attack in Suzhou, eastern China, injuring a Japanese woman and her child in front of a school bus. Tragically, a Chinese bus attendant who tried to intervene lost her life due to the injuries sustained in the incident.

Following this tragic event, Japan’s foreign ministry issued directives to Japanese schools to reassess their safety protocols, highlighting the need for enhanced security measures. Kamikawa stressed the disappointment over the recent incident occurring amidst heightened safety concerns.

Addressing the issue at a regular news conference, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian assured that the case is under investigation. He added, “China will continue to take effective measures to protect the safety of all foreigners in China.”

While public attacks against foreigners have been uncommon in China, a series of high-profile stabbings in recent months have raised alarm. Just weeks before the Suzhou incident, four American college instructors were stabbed by a Chinese assailant at a public park in Jilin, northeast China, following a minor altercation. Chinese police refrained from disclosing further details on the motives behind both attacks, categorizing them as isolated incidents. — CNN