SHENZHEN, Jan 28 – A Chinese man has been sentenced to death for the fatal stabbing of a 10-year-old Japanese schoolboy in Shenzhen last September, a case that has raised alarm among Japanese expatriates living in China. The verdict, handed down on Friday, follows a similar ruling in Suzhou a day earlier, where a Chinese man was sentenced to death for attacking a Japanese mother and child, as well as killing a Chinese woman who tried to protect them.
The two cases, along with other violent incidents in China last year, have intensified concerns over safety for foreign nationals in the country. In September, Japanese companies such as Toshiba and Toyota issued advisories to staff, urging caution in light of the stabbing incident in Shenzhen. Panasonic even offered free flights home to its employees as a precaution.
In the Suzhou case, Zhou Jiasheng, 52, attacked a Japanese mother and child outside a Japanese school after experiencing severe personal hardships, including the loss of his job and mounting debts. The Chinese court in Suzhou ruled that the attack was an “intentional murder,” citing the significant social impact of the crime. Zhou also killed a Chinese bus attendant, Hu Youping, who tried to protect the victims.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi expressed outrage over the crimes, calling the attack on innocent people, especially a child, “absolutely unforgivable.” He further acknowledged the court’s decision as appropriate, noting that Japanese consulate officials had attended the sentencing in Suzhou.
Chinese authorities, in addressing the case, reiterated their commitment to protecting the safety of foreign nationals. Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning briefly commented during a daily press briefing that the case was “in judicial process,” adding that China would continue its efforts to safeguard foreign citizens.
These attacks come amid a troubling rise in public violence in China, with many of the assailants reportedly motivated by a desire to “take revenge on society.” In 2024, there were 19 incidents of public violence targeting pedestrians or strangers, a sharp increase from previous years.
The recent uptick in violence has prompted concerns both within China and internationally. Earlier this week, a man who carried out a deadly car attack, killing at least 35 people, was executed, marking one of the deadliest attacks in China in a decade. In December, a man who injured 30 people by driving into a crowd of children and parents outside a primary school received a suspended death sentence.
As the country grapples with the increasing frequency of such attacks, the government faces pressure to address the root causes of public violence and ensure greater safety for both Chinese citizens and foreign nationals living in China.