Shocking news from Shenzhen: A 10-year-old Japanese boy was stabbed to death on his way to school, sending ripples of fear through the Japanese business community. Japanese companies in China have issued safety warnings to their employees, and the Japanese government has vowed to take this matter seriously. The incident has put the Chinese Communist Party in an awkward position.
On Thursday, some of Japan’s largest companies and banks urged their employees in China to be cautious about their safety, while Japanese business groups called on the government to ensure the safety of foreign nationals in China. Japanese Consul-General in Guangzhou, Yoshiko Kijima, confirmed on Thursday morning that despite receiving emergency treatment at a local hospital, the boy died in the early hours of Thursday.
Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Uekawa also confirmed the stabbing incident involving a Japanese national earlier on Thursday. This is the latest in a series of attacks on foreigners in China in recent months and at least the second vicious attack involving Japanese citizens.
The boy’s death has reverberated throughout the Japanese business community.
On Thursday, President of the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association (JAMA), Masanori Katayama, stated at a press conference, “I request the government to make greater efforts than ever to ensure the safety of Japanese residents.”
Toyota, Honda, Nissan, and other Japanese automakers have operations in Guangdong province.
Katayama mentioned that each company will gather information and ensure the safety of employees and their families in any area deemed high-risk. He also said that major Japanese automakers are taking various measures, including disseminating and sharing information between employees and the company.
Toyota informed Bloomberg that it has advised its employees in China to remain vigilant according to embassy guidelines. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries stated that the company is informing its Chinese employees about the incident and advising them to exercise caution.
Nissan stated that it will engage in individual consultations with employees and their families to address any concerns they may have about their safety or their children’s school attendance.
Meanwhile, Panasonic Corporation announced that it will allow its employees and their families in China to temporarily return to Japan at the company’s expense. Toshiba has issued a notice urging its employees traveling to or residing in China to be vigilant, with around 100 employees working in affiliated companies in Shenzhen or other parts of the Toshiba Group.
Cosmetics and household products manufacturer Kao Corporation and Apple component manufacturer Murata Manufacturing have also taken similar measures.
Akihiro Fukutome, President of Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation and Chairman of the Japanese Bankers Association, urged the Beijing government on Thursday to take concrete countermeasures to ensure that such incidents do not happen again.
He also urged members of the association to evaluate potential risks at overseas branches and establish a safety confirmation system.
According to data from last year, about 13,000 Japanese companies are operating in China, as stated by the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Foreign Minister Yoko Uekawa stated that the Japanese government takes this case “extremely seriously” and “we will make every effort to achieve this goal.”
The incident in Shenzhen has put Beijing in an awkward position, caught between the anti-Japanese sentiment it fuels and its desire to be seen as a responsible global player.
On Thursday, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs classified the incident as an isolated case, claiming that it will not affect its relationship with Japan. However, Professor Tomoko Ako, who specializes in modern China issues at the University of Tokyo, disagrees with this view. She mentioned that if Beijing does not respond appropriately, the repercussions could be “very serious.”
Tomoko Ako told Nikkei Asia News on Thursday, “This has happened, it was inevitable, the Chinese authorities continue to instill hatred education against Japan and the Japanese people.”
Former Japanese Ambassador to Australia, Mago Agusa, wrote on X, “This is the result of long-term (anti-Japanese) school education and belligerent rhetoric under wolf warrior diplomacy in recent years.” He suggested that such attacks are one of the reasons for Japanese companies to reconsider investment in China.
“The Chinese government needs to apologize directly and conduct a thorough investigation, otherwise the international community will not accept it,” said Tomoko Ako.
(This article referenced reports from Bloomberg and Kyodo News)