China alleges Tokyo embassy break-in, protests to Japan

China has lodged a strong protest and ​made representations with the Japanese after what it described ‌as a “forceful break-in” at its embassy in ​Tokyo, the Chinese foreign ministry said ⁠on Tuesday (March 24, 2026).

An individual who claimed to be an active-duty officer of the Japan Self-Defence Forces scaled the ‌wall and forcibly entered the Chinese Embassy on Tuesday morning, ministry spokesperson Lin Jian ‌told a regular press conference.

“The individual ‌admitted ⁠that his actions were illegal and threatened ⁠to kill Chinese diplomatic personnel in the so-called name of God,” Mr. Lin said.

China is “deeply shocked” by the incident, Mr. ​Lin said, urging Tokyo ‌to conduct a thorough investigation, punish those responsible and provide an explanation.

“The Japanese side must effectively guarantee the safety of the premises ‌and personnel of Chinese embassies and consulates in ​Japan, reflect on and correct its policies towards China, and fundamentally prevent ⁠such incidents from occurring again,” he said.

The Japanese defence ministry did not immediately respond to a request ‌for comment.

Tensions between China, Japan

Ties between the two Asian neighbours have deteriorated after Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi suggested last November a hypothetical Chinese attack on Taiwan, the democratically-governed island China claims its own, could trigger a military response from Tokyo.

Japan ‌will downgrade its description of ties with China ​from “one of its most important” in an annual diplomatic report, citing a series ⁠of confrontations with Beijing over the past year, according ⁠to a draft reviewed by Reuters.

Asked about the decision, Mr. Lin reiterated a ‌call for Ms. Takaichi to withdraw her remarks.