BEIJING ¨C ?Japan has expressed its regret over the break-in at the Chinese embassy in Tokyo by a knife-wielding Japanese military officer, but that is ¡°far from enough,¡± the ?Chinese foreign ministry said on ?Friday.
The Japanese ?side has not discussed the ?details of the incident, Lin Jian, spokesperson at the foreign ministry, told a regular news conference. Minoru ?Kihara, Japan¡¯s most senior government spokesperson, described the incident ?on Tuesday as regrettable and said the government would take measures to ?prevent any recurrence.
The incident threatens to exacerbate Sino-Japanese ties. Relations ?have already deteriorated ?since November when the Japanese prime ?minister said Japan could deploy its ?military ?if a Chinese move against Taiwan also threatened its territory.
¡°The Japanese side has expressed deep regret to the Chinese side regarding ?this incident, but this is far from sufficient,¡± said Lin. ¡°We once again urge the Japanese side to conduct a thorough investigation as soon as ?possible ?and provide China with a responsible ?explanation.¡±
Japan¡¯s Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi said on ?Friday that the incident was ¡°truly regrettable¡± and that his ministry was ¡°fully cooperating¡± with the police investigation underway.
¡°We will also respond strictly ?once the facts have been established,¡± he said.?
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