TOKYO - Hundreds of Japanese citizens gathered in Shinjuku, a bustling district in Tokyo, on Saturday evening, holding placards and demanding that the government apologize to China following the forcible intrusion by an active-duty Self-Defense Forces (SDF) officer into the Chinese embassy in Tokyo on Tuesday.

Participants held signs and chanted slogans including "Apologize for the SDF officer's terrible act," "Take responsibility for the terrible incident," and "We apologize to China on behalf of the government," directing their calls at the Japanese government and Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi.

According to the Chinese embassy in Japan, a man claiming to be "an active-duty officer of the Japan Self-Defense Forces" forcibly broke into the embassy by climbing over a wall on Tuesday morning, threatening to kill Chinese diplomatic personnel.

The embassy has lodged solemn representations and a strong protest with the Japanese side, demanding that Japan provide a responsible explanation.

So far, the Japanese government has only expressed that the incident was "regrettable," without offering an apology or announcing specific accountability measures.