In Japan, the aftermath of the attack on a Japanese mother and son in Suzhou is still unfolding. The Japanese Consulate General in Shanghai has revealed that another Japanese individual was stabbed in Suzhou in April this year. The series of attacks on Japanese nationals in Suzhou has sparked significant concern and strong reactions among the Japanese public. Japanese experts believe that this incident is far from being the “isolated event” claimed by the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and they urge Japanese individuals in China to be cautious and vigilant.
Three days after the attack on the Japanese mother and son on June 26, the Japanese Consulate General in Shanghai disclosed that on April 3 this year, a Japanese employee was suspected to have been attacked by a Chinese man with a knife in Suzhou, sustaining a neck injury. The incident took place in a bustling street in Suzhou with numerous Japanese restaurants, just a few hundred meters away from the scene of the attack on June 24.
On June 24 at 4 p.m., a Chinese man wielding a knife attacked a Japanese mother and son waiting for a school bus at the station. Both victims were subsequently hospitalized for treatment but not in critical condition. Additionally, a Chinese woman serving as a guide for the school bus was severely injured while trying to prevent the assailant from boarding the bus and assaulting others, and she is currently in the hospital undergoing treatment.
The Suzhou Public Security Bureau identified the suspect as a 52-year-old man named Zhou who was unemployed and had recently arrived in Suzhou from out of town. The authorities did not specify the motive for the attack and stated that the case is still under investigation.
The day after the incident, Japanese Consul General in Shanghai Shuichi Akamatsu met with Suzhou Mayor Wu Qingwen to strongly request timely provision of detailed information behind the incident and enhanced security measures around Japanese schools in the area. Mayor Wu Qingwen stated that based on the preliminary investigation, the incident was deemed as an “isolated event.”
Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi expressed regret over the incident and hoped for the swift recovery of the victims. He instructed the Japanese Consulate General in Shanghai to urge the local government to prevent such incidents from happening again and to request detailed information on the case.
Regarding whether this incident was specifically targeted at Japanese individuals, Japanese government officials stated that they could not provide a definitive answer in advance.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning stated on June 25 that the police preliminarily concluded the case as an “isolated event,” noting that such incidents could occur in any country.
Japanese commentator and Ph.D. from the University of Tokyo, Hayato Sato, told Epoch Times, “From the response of the Foreign Ministry spokesperson, it seems that the Chinese government has no intention of reflecting on this matter and seems to be completely indifferent to the incident and its relationship with Japan.”
Homare Endo, Honorary Professor at Tsukuba University and Director of the Institute for International Affairs on China Issues, pointed out that while the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson referred to the incident as an “isolated event,” this term was not used in the CCTV broadcast. The discrepancy in statements between the two sources creates a strong sense of discordance.
Endo believed that based on the current state of Sino-Japanese relations, the attitudes of Chinese society towards the United States and Japan, and linking to the stabbing of three Americans in Jilin province previously, this incident was far from being an “isolated event” but rather a reflection of the overall social atmosphere towards the United States and Japan in Chinese society.
Endo suggested that at the very least, the term “isolated event” should be changed to “isolated incident” to avoid the sense of discordance. She stressed that from any perspective, the conclusion would be that this attack cannot be classified as an “isolated event.”
In conclusion, Endo reminded Japanese individuals in China to be cautious.
The day after the incident, the Japanese school in Suzhou suspended classes. Suzhou, traditionally regarded as having relatively good public safety, has witnessed two attacks on Japanese individuals in the past two months, causing widespread fear and anxiety among the local Japanese community, with a continuing sense of unrest.
Sato also noted, “Not long ago, an incident of stabbing Americans occurred in the northeast, and now another incident of stabbing Japanese has happened in the south. One in the north, one in the south, targeting the United States and Japan precisely. This cannot be considered a low probability event. Why have such incidents not occurred in other countries?”
“Whether the perpetrator acted on their own, received guidance, or even operated with the support of the Chinese government remains unknown. However, it is clear that from Jiang Zemin’s rise to power to the present, the Chinese government has continuously propagated anti-Japanese sentiments. Even if this case was an individual act, it is the result of being influenced and brainwashed by China’s anti-Japanese political propaganda,” he stated.
Sato also urged the Japanese government to take a firmer stance in diplomatic relations with China.
Many Japanese citizens have shared their views on social media platforms, suggesting that this incident is a consequence of China’s anti-Japanese propaganda, and Japanese nationals should return home promptly to escape potential disasters.
A netizen with the username “鴨” commented, “This is a tragic event, and I hope the victims of the attack recover soon. While the background and motives of the incident are still unclear, in the economically stagnant China, it is not surprising that individuals with mental instability attack Japanese people. This demonstrates how deeply rooted China’s anti-Japanese education is. Japanese individuals living in China should return home as soon as possible to move to safer places. Do not wait for public assistance, rely on self-help and mutual aid, and flee from disaster.”
Another netizen, “meg,” expressed anger at the unnecessary anti-Japanese sentiments created and hopes for the recovery of the courageous Chinese woman who intervened.
A netizen named “Asd” wrote, “There is no reason to talk in (Communist) China, and the rational choice is to leave. (Communist) China as a whole is going crazy, with individuals going crazy to maintain the overall equilibrium.”
Netizen “Iji” mentioned, “Japanese companies and individuals believe that now is a good time to leave China.”
Netizen “tak” stated, “In terms of hate crimes, China has become one of the most dangerous countries in the world.”
Netizen “tam” on the X platform said, “The Communist Party of China’s anti-Japanese (propaganda) has caused this incident. Such incidents will continue to occur in the future. Japanese individuals should evacuate as soon as possible.”
Netizen “yam” remarked, “China (Communist) is already a crime-ridden country, especially with child trafficking being commonplace. Due to the Chinese government’s anti-Japanese brainwashing, Japanese are in a dangerous situation. There are even rumors online that Japanese schools are spy bases, among other things. The Chinese government will not take any responsibility for this matter and is not likely to stop its anti-Japanese education.”
In China, some Chinese netizens on Weibo still refer to the assailant as a “national hero.”
Netizen “byq” wrote, “Seeing this situation, it is not surprising for anyone (as long as they are Japanese) to be stabbed at any time.”
Many Japanese netizens believe that the Japanese government’s stance is weak, only expressing “regret,” and the Japanese media reporting is not timely or comprehensive enough. However, the Japanese citizens are watching that country with a stern eye. In response to China’s nationwide anti-Japanese education, Japanese politicians and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs should protest against China.
The saying, “Heaven above, Suzhou and Hangzhou below,” praises the scenery of Suzhou. As a representative of southern Chinese culture, Suzhou has always been highly regarded by the Japanese. Suzhou people are known for their politeness and elegance since ancient times and are the origin of the Japanese kimono (formerly known as Wu clothing), fostering nostalgic feelings among the Japanese. Hence, there has been frequent interaction and extensive connections between Japan and Suzhou.
There are approximately 2,250 Japanese-funded companies in Suzhou, with a Japanese population of over 5,000 residents and the presence of a Japanese school.
On Chinese social media, some netizens remarked that the assailant has presented a challenging situation for the Suzhou government. Foreign enterprises account for 60% of Suzhou’s GDP. If there continues to be hostility towards foreigners, they may leave, posing a threat to Suzhou’s current status.
Japanese economic analyst Kohei Morinaga told Epoch Times, “Both China and Japan will not sever diplomatic ties now, but the relationship will become increasingly tense.”
“In terms of future relations, the American style of diplomacy is the most ideal. Just like the United States imposing high tariffs on strategic materials like semiconductors, implementing export controls, and other restrictions, Japan should also maintain such relations with China,” he stated.