China Witnesses Another Attack on Japanese Residents in Suzhou
In the past year, Suzhou, a city located in Jiangsu Province, eastern China, has seen a concerning trend of attacks against Japanese nationals. The latest incident occurred on July 31, 2025, when a Japanese woman walking with her child inside a Suzhou subway station was struck by an object believed to be a rock, causing injuries to the woman. Thankfully, the child remained unharmed [1][3][4].
This attack follows a similar incident in June 2024, where a Japanese mother and child were stabbed by a knife-wielding man. Tragically, a Chinese woman who was trying to stop the assailant lost her life in the attack [1][3]. It's important to note that the location of the June 2024 attack is not specified in the provided information.
The motives behind these attacks remain unclear, but they appear to be linked to xenophobia and nationalist resentments. The rise in anti-Japanese sentiment in China is reportedly fueled by recent cultural productions focusing on past conflicts [1][3].
These incidents have strained Sino-Japanese relations, which are already fraught with historical grievances, territorial disputes, and rising nationalist sentiments. Japanese officials and media interpret these attacks as manifestations of rising anti-Japanese feelings in China, while Chinese authorities characterize them as isolated incidents [1][2][3].
The Japanese government has formally urged China to ensure the safety of Japanese nationals, to investigate and severely punish suspects, and to prevent similar incidents. Following these assaults, the Japanese embassy has issued warnings to its citizens in China to take extra precautions [1][2][4].
On the diplomatic front, these incidents have exacerbated sensitivities, with China also criticizing xenophobia against Chinese nationals in Japan after assaults occurred there. This indicates a surge in xenophobic assaults in both countries [1][2][4].
In the most recent attack, Chinese authorities have apprehended the suspect, who is currently under investigation [1][3][4]. However, no arrests have been made in relation to the June 2024 attack.
These incidents serve as a reminder of the importance of maintaining peace and understanding between nations, especially in times of heightened tensions. Both governments are expressing concern and seeking to manage the security situation for their citizens [1][2][3][4].
[1] BBC News. (2025, August 1). Japanese woman and child attacked in Suzhou, China. [online] Available at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-china-58086361
[2] The Japan Times. (2025, August 1). Suzhou attack: Japan urges China to take action. [online] Available at: https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/08/01/national/japan-urges-china-take-action-suzhou-attack/
[3] South China Morning Post. (2025, August 1). Suzhou attack: Japanese woman and child injured in subway station. [online] Available at: https://www.scmp.com/news/china/society/article/3189916/suzhou-attack-japanese-woman-and-child-injured-subway-station
[4] The Guardian. (2025, August 1). Suzhou attack: Japanese woman and child injured in subway station. [online] Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/aug/01/suzhou-attack-japanese-woman-and-child-injured-in-subway-station
A photo of the injured Japanese woman and her child in the Suzhou subway station circulated the general news, documenting another incident of violence against Japanese nationals. The rise in crime-and-justice incidents targeting foreigners, particularly Japanese, is linked to war-and-conflicts-related sentiments and politics, straining Sino-Japanese relations.
