Rising Tensions and Attacks Amidst Xenophobia in Sino-Japanese Relations

The recent attack on a Japanese woman in Suzhou has heightened anxiety over growing xenophobic sentiments between China and Japan. The woman, who was with her child at the time of the assault, suffered injuries that were not life-threatening, according to Japanese media outlets. This incident marks the third attack on Japanese residents in China within the last year, with concerns about xenophobia being blamed for these occurrences.

Earlier on Thursday in Tokyo, two Chinese men were seriously injured by four assailants. The identities of the attackers remain unknown, sparking further alarm regarding tensions between the two nations. The Chinese Embassy has called on Japanese authorities to take decisive action in response to rising xenophobia, emphasizing the need to protect Chinese citizens in Japan.

The Japan Chamber of Commerce in China has urged Chinese authorities to reinforce the assurance of safety for Japanese citizens. The escalation in violent incidents, including a fatal stabbing last year and another attack in June, underlines the gravitation toward intolerance. The diplomatic discourse now hinges on curbing these tensions to ensure security and harmony.

(With inputs from agencies.)