China sentences man to death for deadly knife attack on Japanese school bus

File Source: Kyodo

A Chinese man has been sentenced to death after he attacked a Japanese mother and child with a knife, killing a Chinese woman who tried to intervene and protect them. The incident occurred on June 24 outside a Japanese school in Suzhou, China, and has sparked widespread concern, especially within the local Japanese community.

Zhou Jiasheng, 52, was convicted for the “intentional murder” of Hu Youping, a Chinese bus attendant who was fatally injured while attempting to shield the family from the attack. Zhou had reportedly been struggling with significant personal issues, including job loss and mounting debts, which led him to commit the violent act.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi of Japan confirmed the death sentence, highlighting the “significant social impact” the crime had on both the community and the victims. “The crime, which killed and injured innocent people, including a child, is absolutely unforgivable,” Hayashi stated. He also paid tribute to Hu Youping’s heroic actions, calling her sacrifice in the face of violence deeply honorable.

The attack was one of several violent incidents involving foreigners in China last year, contributing to heightened concerns. Another attack in Shenzhen left a Japanese schoolboy dead, and Chinese authorities have faced increasing scrutiny over public safety as violent acts have surged across the country.

In a brief comment during a daily press conference, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning assured that the case was “in judicial process,” affirming China’s commitment to protecting foreign nationals.

The Chinese government has been confronting a rise in public violence, with many attackers driven by personal grievances, leading to random, often deadly assaults on strangers. Last year alone, there were 19 attacks on pedestrians, marking a sharp rise compared to previous years. Additionally, the Chinese authorities have recently executed individuals involved in the country’s deadliest attacks in recent history.