China Hands Death Sentence to Man Who Killed Japanese Boy
A Chinese court has sentenced a man to death for fatally stabbing a 10-year-old Japanese schoolboy in Shenzhen, a case that has unsettled the Japanese expat community in China.
The ruling was delivered on Friday, according to Japanese media. The attack, which took place in September, was one of several recent violent incidents involving foreigners in China.
This sentence follows another high-profile ruling on Thursday, where a Chinese man was also sentenced to death for attacking a Japanese family and killing a Chinese woman who tried to protect them in Suzhou province.
Details of the Shenzhen Incident
The boy was stabbed near his home in Shenzhen, a southern Chinese city popular with expatriates. The attacker, whose identity remains undisclosed, targeted the child in what local authorities described as a senseless act of violence.
Following the incident, Japanese companies like Toshiba and Toyota advised their employees in China to remain vigilant, while Panasonic offered free flights home to staff.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi condemned the attack, describing it as “absolutely unforgivable.” He emphasized the “significant social impact” caused by the crime.
“The killing of innocent people, including children, is a crime that cannot be tolerated,” Hayashi said during a press conference.
Rising Public Violence in China
China has seen an alarming rise in public violence, with at least 19 attacks on strangers recorded last year—a significant jump from previous years.
- Suzhou Case: Zhou Jiasheng, 52, was sentenced to death for an attack near a Japanese school in June. Zhou killed a Chinese bus attendant who tried to protect a Japanese mother and child.
- Jilin Attack: In the same month, four US college instructors were injured in a knife attack in northern China.
According to analysts, many attackers are motivated by personal grievances or a desire to “take revenge on society.”
Chinese Authorities Respond
China’s foreign ministry spokesperson, Mao Ning, assured foreign nationals of their safety in the country.
“China will, as always, act to protect the safety of foreign nationals in China,” Mao said during a press briefing.
Other Recent Violent Cases
The Shenzhen and Suzhou cases are part of a series of high-profile violent incidents in China:
- Deadliest Car Attack: On Monday, a man was executed for killing 35 people in a car rampage—the deadliest attack in China in a decade.
- University Stabbing Spree: Last month, a university student was sentenced to death for stabbing eight people.
- Primary School Incident: A man who injured 30 people by driving into a crowd outside a school received a suspended death sentence in December.
Impact on Japanese Expats
The recent violence has raised concerns among Japan’s expat community in China, leading to increased caution and security measures.
Japanese officials, including consular staff, have attended court proceedings and urged their citizens to remain vigilant.
External Link:
Learn more about the rise in public violence in China on BBC News.
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