The fatal stabbing of a 10-year-old Japanese schoolboy in Shenzhen, China, has sparked widespread concern among Japanese expats, highlighting growing Japanese Expats in China Safety Concerns. Top Japanese companies, including Toshiba, Toyota, and Panasonic, have urged their employees to exercise caution.
Police arrested 44-year-old Zhong at the scene after he stabbed a young Japanese boy outside the Shenzhen Japanese School on Wednesday. He had a prior criminal record, with arrests in 2015 and 2019 for damaging public infrastructure and interfering with public order.
Japanese authorities have condemned the killing, with Prime Minister Fumio Kishida labeling it “extremely despicable.” Japan’s ambassador to Beijing has pressed Chinese authorities to ensure the safety of Japanese citizens.
In response to the attack, Panasonic prioritizes employee safety, offering free flights back to Japan and counseling services. Toshiba has advised its 100 employees in China to be cautious, while Toyota supports Japanese expatriates.
The Guangzhou Japanese School has canceled some activities and warned students against speaking Japanese loudly in public. A Japanese businessman is sending his daughter back overseas to university earlier than planned due to concerns about her safety.
Chinese officials in Shenzhen have expressed sadness and begun installing security cameras near the school. Locals have laid flowers at the school’s gate, with one resident saying, “It’s really sad. It shouldn’t be like that.”
This incident has strained tense relations between Japan and China, exacerbating Japanese Expats in China Safety Concerns. Historically, the two nations have clashed over territorial disputes and historical grievances.
