Japan urged “that China do its utmost – above all else – to secure the safety of Japanese nationals in China”, he said.
Fujimura’s comments come as the Japanese consulate in Shanghai reported a series of physical attacks.
“A group was dining late at night, and they were harassed and assaulted by Chinese,” said a statement on the consulate’s website.
The consulate said bottles were thrown at some Japanese, and drinks and food were poured over others, while one person was reported having a pair of glasses broken.
In two of the incidents the assailants asked “Are you Japanese?” before acting, a Japanese diplomat in Shanghai told AFP on condition of anonymity.
Tokyo’s foreign ministry warned its nationals to be aware of anti-Japanese demonstrations and to avoid drawing attention to themselves.
Relations between the two countries – often rocky because of a difficult history – have worsened since pro-Beijing activists were arrested and deported after a landing on one of the islands in August.
They were followed days later by Japanese nationalists, who raised their flag there.
Protests broke out in China and have continued since Japan on Tuesday announced it had nationalised three of the islands in the chain. It already owns another and leases the fifth.
The purchase was intended at least partially to calm the situation by heading off an attempt to buy them by Tokyo’s provocative Governor Shintaro Ishihara, who charged Japan was not doing enough to protect its territory.
But Beijing’s reaction has been sharper than many analysts expected. Some observers have pointed to the forthcoming leadership change in China’s Communist Party and say the islands issue is being used as a way to distract public attention from the less-than-smooth transition.
The People’s Daily, the party mouthpiece, on Friday called Tokyo’s actions a violation of China’s territorial sovereignty and an affront to its citizens.
“Is Japan prepared to pay the price for its vicious actions?” the commentary in the paper’s domestic edition said. “They will be regarded as an invasion of China’s inherent territory and thus China will resolutely strike back.”
About The Author
