A Japanese sailor has been stabbed in the neck with a pair of scissors during a World War II memorial service in the Solomon Islands.
The victim was part of a Japanese Navy media team at this morning’s event attended by US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman when he was attacked by the ‘mentally affected’ man.
Video of the incident showed half a dozen servicemen, including US forces, trying to control a bearded man in a yellow T-shirt struggling on the ground.
A Japanese sailor has been stabbed in the neck with a pair of scissors during a World War II memorial service in the Solomon Islands (pictured: the attacker in a yellow shirt)
Video of the incident showed half a dozen servicemen, including US forces, trying to control a bearded man in a yellow T-shirt struggling on the ground
The attacker was trapped in a headlock and carried away by local officials after the stabbing this morning
Bloody Ridge community chief Wesley Ramo said the suspect was from a neighbouring community
A dawn service was held in the Solomon Islands today to mark the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Guadalcanal
The victim was part of a Japanese Navy media team at this morning’s event attended by US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman (pictured)
One of the servicemen loses his cap, falls over and rolls a short way down a hill as the assailant scrambles away before being trapped in a headlock and carried away by local officials.
The injured man was a 27-year-old media spokesman on the Japanese destroyer JS Karasame, which was visiting as part of a regional training exercise, said an official at the Japanese embassy who asked not to be named.
The embassy official said the injured member of the Japanese Maritime Self-Defence Force was given first aid by an ambulance at the scene.
The ambulance rushed him to a hotel for further treatment by US medical staff who were staying there.
He was then taken back to his ship, where he was confirmed to have ‘no problem at all’, the embassy official said.
The injured man was a 27-year-old media spokesman on the Japanese destroyer JS Karasame
Commemorations are being held over three days in the Solomon Islands to mark the anniversary of the battle
Bloody Ridge is a small hill where in September 1942, US Marines held off a Japanese force that was attacking a military airfield
The sailor needed stitches but was expected to recover.
Bloody Ridge community chief Wesley Ramo said the suspect was from a neighbouring community.
The Solomon Islands’ culture and tourism ministry, which hosted the memorial, formally apologised to Japanese officials in a ceremony shortly after the assault.
‘We know it was not targeting any particular Japanese, it could have been anyone,’ said Barney Sivoro, permanent secretary of the ministry.
‘We know it could have been worse, could have threatened his life,’ Sivoro said, applauding the ‘swift action’ by those standing nearby to bring the man under control.
‘I would like to say here that it is an isolated incident by somebody (who) – from information we had – is mentally affected,’ he added.
Japan’s Defence Minister Makoto Oniki (left) was among those attending today’s ceremony
Bloody Ridge community chief Wesley Ramo said the suspect was from a neighbouring community
The Solomons official said others living in the surrounding national park did not condone such an ‘uncivilised act of cowardice’.
The man had been arrested ‘on the spot’ by police and would be dealt with according to the law, Sivoro added. ‘The government and its people are really sorry for what happened today.’
The Solomon Islands government was hosting the dawn service at Bloody Ridge as part of commemorations to mark the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Guadalcanal.
Also attending the ceremony were Makoto Oniki, Japan’s state minister of defence, and Peeni Henare, New Zealand’s defence minister.
Commemorations are being held over three days in the Solomon Islands to mark the anniversary of the battle.
Bloody Ridge is a small hill where in September 1942, US Marines held off a Japanese force that was attacking a military airfield.
Ms Sherman’s trip comes after the US and several Pacific nations expressed deep concern about a security pact the Solomons signed with China in April, which many fear could result in a military build-up in the region.
As part of her trip, Ms Sherman has also visited the Pacific nations of Samoa and Tonga and plans to visit Australia and New Zealand.
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