Killing of Japanese Schoolboy in China Raises Concerns Among Japanese Expats

 

The recent killing of a Japanese schoolboy in Shenzhen, China, has raised concerns among Japanese expatriates, prompting major Japanese companies to advise their employees to stay vigilant. Companies like Toshiba and Toyota have urged their staff to take extra safety precautions, while Panasonic has offered its employees and their families free flights back to Japan.

Japanese officials have condemned the incident, with Prime Minister Fumio Kishida calling the attack "despicable" and urging the Chinese government to ensure the safety of Japanese citizens living in China.

The 10-year-old boy was fatally stabbed on Wednesday outside the Shenzhen Japanese School, marking the third attack on foreigners in China in recent months. In response, Panasonic is providing counselling services and offering to cover travel expenses for those wishing to return to Japan. Toshiba, which employs around 100 people in China, also advised its staff to be cautious.

Japan’s ambassador to China has asked the Chinese government to take measures to protect Japanese nationals, and several Japanese schools in China have alerted parents, with some cancelling activities and advising against speaking Japanese loudly in public.

Chinese authorities have expressed sadness over the incident and have taken steps to improve security near the school, including installing surveillance cameras. The suspect, a 44-year-old man with a criminal record, was arrested at the scene. Local police are investigating the motive behind the attack, but they have labeled it as an "isolated incident."

Despite rising concerns among Japanese residents in China, Chinese officials have emphasized that this violence does not reflect the broader behavior of Chinese citizens. Flowers were placed at the Japanese school gate in memory of the victim, with local residents expressing sorrow over the tragedy.

The killing has occurred amid historically strained relations between China and Japan, but the incident is not expected to significantly impact economic ties between the two countries, which have continued despite ongoing diplomatic tensions.