Japan defense minister 'regrets' Chinese embassy break-in

Japan's Defense Minister has described as "deeply regrettable" Tuesday's incident in which a Japan Self-Defense Forces (SDF) officer broke into the Chinese embassy in Tokyo.

At press conference on Friday morning, Shinjiro Koizumi said that an SDF officer has been arrested in relation to the incident. Koizumi added that SDF officers are expected to remain disciplined and abide by the law, and that once the facts are fully clarified, the matter will be strictly dealt with.

On Tuesday, an individual who identified himself as an active-duty officer in Japan's Ground SDF, alleged to be second lieutenant Kodai Murata, scaled a wall and broke into the Chinese embassy in Tokyo. Admitting that his actions were illegal, the individual threatened to kill Chinese diplomats in the "name of God".

According to Japanese media reports, police transferred Murata to prosecutors on Thursday on suspicion of illegal entry.