Japanese Officer Expresses Regret in Court Over Knife-Wielding Breach at Chinese Embassy

A Japanese military officer who entered the Chinese Embassy in Tokyo with a knife expressed regret in court on Wednesday, in his first public remarks in a case that has added to diplomatic strain between Tokyo and Beijing.

Kodai Murata, 23, a lieutenant in Japan’s Ground Self-Defense Force, appeared at Tokyo District Court for a detention hearing. He was formally indicted on July 27 on charges including trespassing, weapons-law violations and intimidation, after a psychiatric evaluation found him fit to stand trial. A request for bail by his defense team was denied.