Japanese schools in Hong Kong bolster security measures after Shenzhen stabbing: diplomat

Japanese schools in Hong Kong have ramped up their security measures following the fatal stabbing of a 10-year-old child in Shenzhen, the country’s top diplomat in the city has said.

Kenichi Okada, the country’s consul general in Hong Kong, addressed the incident on Wednesday at the opening ceremony of this year’s Japan Autumn Festival, where he asked all event participants to observe a minute of silence for the child who was killed in Shenzhen last week.

“I think Japanese schools here have tightened their security here for the students,” said Okada, the first Japanese diplomat to publicly address the incident.

“It’s [a] very important thing for them to maintain safety. I can tell you that the Hong Kong government has been very supportive on this side. We really appreciate the Hong Kong police department’s support on this issue.”

Okada told the press: “In terms of the very unfortunate incident that happened in Shenzhen, I believe, and so many Japanese people here believe Hong Kong is totally different from the situation over there.