Chinese suspect held after 2 Japanese killed in Liaoning province over ‘business grudge’
Tokyo has asked China to ensure the safety of Japanese nationals in the area: Japanese media
Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Lin Jian said that on May 23, Dalian police received a call about two deaths. Lin said the alleged killer was the business partner of the victims, and that the incident was caused by a dispute.
A statement by Dalian police said the suspect, a 42-year-old man surnamed Yuan who had been living in Japan, was apprehended the day after the men died.
The police statement also said the victims were Yuan’s business partners in Japan and had travelled to China for a temporary stay. Yuan will be sent to prosecutors after the investigation.
Dalian authorities had communicated with the victims’ families and helped with the victims’ cremation, the statement said, adding that the families had returned to Japan on June 1.
The deaths were initially reported on Tuesday by Japanese media. The newspaper Nikkei said Tokyo had asked local authorities to ensure the safety of Japanese nationals in the area.
Kyodo news agency quoted a Japanese government source who said the deaths were caused by “a grudge over business” and said they were “not politically motivated or triggered by anti-Japan sentiment”.