TOKYO, Aug. 28 (Xinhua) -- Japan's Ground Self-Defense Force (GSDF) on Friday dismissed an officer who allegedly broke into the Chinese Embassy in Japan with a knife, local media reported.
The GSDF said it was extremely regrettable that one of its members, who was supposed to abide by laws and discipline, had committed such an act, public broadcaster NHK reported.
On March 24, the GSDF officer, identified as Kodai Murata, allegedly scaled a barbed-wire wall and broke into the Chinese embassy in Tokyo with an 18-cm blade, threatening to kill Chinese diplomatic personnel. He was later arrested by the police.
Japanese prosecutors indicted Murata on charges including trespassing and threatening embassy staff.
The embassy has lodged solemn representations and a strong protest with the Japanese side, demanding that Japan provide a responsible explanation. So far, however, the Japanese side has only expressed that the incident was "regrettable," without offering an apology. ■