The Suspect Is a Japanese Man... Weapon Brandished After Argument
Perpetrator on the Run... Victim Not in Life-Threatening Condition
Attempted Murder Charges... Embassy Advises "Avoid Physical Confrontations"
A Chinese tourist visiting Kyoto, Japan, was attacked by a Japanese man wielding a weapon.
According to reports from the Chinese Embassy in Japan and NHK on June 8, at around 8 p.m. on June 6, a 37-year-old Chinese male tourist, identified as Mr. A, who was part of a group tour, was assaulted with a weapon by an unknown Japanese man in a busy district of Kyoto.
After finishing dinner in the area, Mr. A encountered a Japanese man near Kyojo Bridge. The assailant, who was approximately 175 cm tall and was wearing glasses, a mask, and a white T-shirt, got into a verbal altercation with Mr. A for reasons that remain unclear. During the argument, the man drew a weapon and attacked Mr. A.
Mr. A sustained a 15 cm deep wound between his right clavicle and abdomen. Fortunately, he was conscious when transported to the hospital, and it has been reported that he was treated and discharged without life-threatening injuries. The perpetrator fled the scene immediately after the attack and has not yet been apprehended. Japanese police are tracking the suspect using closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage and other methods. The suspect is being investigated on charges of attempted murder.
The Chinese Consulate General in Osaka visited the scene to offer comfort to the victim and demanded that Japanese police quickly apprehend the suspect and impose strict punishment. Additionally, the Chinese Embassy in Japan urged Chinese nationals residing in or visiting Japan to closely monitor the local security situation, avoid visiting crowded or unstable areas, and pay special attention to personal safety. The embassy added, "Abide by local laws and avoid verbal disputes and physical confrontations," and further advised, "If a dispute occurs, prioritize your safety and be careful to preserve evidence such as photos and videos."
Meanwhile, concerns have been raised that this incident, which occurred amid heightened tensions between China and Japan, could negatively impact future diplomatic relations and public opinion in both countries. Anxiety is also growing among Chinese tourists visiting Japan. Chinese netizens who read reports of the incident voiced their concerns on social networking services (SNS), saying, "Do not go to Japan," and questioning whether this was a hate crime targeting Chinese tourists.
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