A 10-year-old Japanese student who was stabbed near his school in southern China has died, Tokyo officials announced on Thursday. They have requested that Beijing provide details about the stabbing and take steps to prevent similar incidents. A suspect is currently in custody.

Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa expressed condolences and emphasized that the attack occurred despite Tokyo’s prior requests for increased safety measures in China, particularly in light of the upcoming anniversary of the war between China and Japan.

The student was stabbed on Wednesday, approximately 220 yards away from the entrance of the Shenzhen Japanese School, according to a daily briefing by Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Lin Jian. Lin confirmed that the attacker was apprehended at the scene and the investigation into the incident is ongoing.

In a statement released on Wednesday, Shenzhen police disclosed that a 44-year-old man with the surname Zhong had been taken into custody in connection with the stabbing of the minor.

The motive behind the attack remains unclear.

Kamikawa noted that Japan had previously asked China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs to strengthen security around Japanese citizens ahead of the September 18th anniversary of the Mukden Incident in 1931, which China considers the beginning of Japan’s invasion of Manchuria.

An explosion on a Japanese railway in the northern city of Shenyang, attributed to Japanese soldiers but blamed on the Chinese, was used as justification for the invasion.

“I find it extremely regrettable that the attack occurred despite that,” Kamikawa stated, adding that such an attack “should never occur in any country.” Japan views the attack with “extreme seriousness” and will reiterate its request for Beijing to take further steps to ensure the safety of Japanese citizens, she added.

Kamikawa also advised Japanese schools in China to review their safety protocols and requested Beijing to provide details of the killing and take every possible measure to prevent similar attacks against Japanese citizens.

Lin conveyed condolences and sadness over the boy’s death on Thursday. “Our hearts go out to his family,” he said, adding that China will provide necessary assistance. He identified the boy as a Japanese citizen with parents from Japan and China.

Following a previous knife attack at a bus stop for a Japanese school, the ministry has urged Japanese school operators in China to review their safety measures, stated Masashi Mizobuchi, the ministry’s assistant press secretary. Officials will discuss how they can better secure the safety of Japanese students.

On June 24th, a knife attack at a school bus stop for a Japanese school in the southeastern city of Suzhou resulted in the death of a Chinese national who intervened to stop the attacker. A Japanese mother and her child were also injured.

Lin denied any connection between the two incidents, stating that “similar cases may happen in any country.” He also denied that the attacks would harm China’s relationship with Japan.

“China and Japan are in communication on the case. We always welcome people from all countries, including Japan, to come to China for traveling, studying, business or living,” Lin said, promising to take effective measures to protect their safety while in China.

“We believe individual cases will not affect the exchanges and cooperation between China and Japan,” he said.

While the news of the Japanese boy’s death was not reported by Chinese media on Thursday, individuals expressed condolences and condemned the attack on the social media platform Weibo.

In an email sent to Japanese citizens residing in China, the Japanese Embassy cautioned residents to be vigilant and take precautions, citing knife attacks in recent months. The Japanese Consulate in Guangzhou, responsible for Shenzhen, called for measures to prevent such incidents.

Earlier in June, a Chinese man attacked four instructors from Cornell College at a public park in Jilin in the northeast, injuring a Chinese person who tried to intervene. The four instructors were teaching at Beihua University. Their injuries were not critical.