Chinese Man Sentenced to Death for Knife Attack on Japanese Family

A court in Suzhou, China, has sentenced 52-year-old Zhou Jiasheng to death for a knife attack that injured a Japanese mother and her child and killed a Chinese bus attendant who attempted to intervene. The attack, which occurred on June 24, 2024, raised alarm over rising anti-Japanese sentiment in China, prompting Japan to demand better safety assurances for its citizens. Zhou's actions were reportedly motivated by financial distress and suicidal thoughts, leading to a violent outburst. The Japanese government condemned the attack as 'absolutely unforgivable,' emphasizing the seriousness with which they regard the ruling. This incident is part of a concerning trend, as similar attacks on Japanese nationals have occurred, including the fatal stabbing of a 10-year-old Japanese student in Shenzhen. While the Chinese government has labeled these incidents as isolated, they have heightened diplomatic tensions and safety concerns regarding foreign nationals in China.