Japanese schools in China are tightening their security following an attack on a bus carrying Japanese schoolchildren in Suzhou, eastern China.
The Japanese Consulate-General in Shanghai says a man, apparently armed with a knife, struck when the school bus arrived at a stop on Monday.
It says the vehicle was carrying students on their way home from a Japanese school in Suzhou.
Consular officials say a Japanese mother and her child were injured in the attack. They say a Chinese bus attendant was stabbed and is in critical condition.
The assailant is believed to be a Chinese national. He has reportedly been detained and is being questioned, but his motive remains unclear.
The school in Suzhou is closed on Tuesday.
The Japanese Embassy in Beijing says Japanese schools in Beijing, Shanghai and elsewhere in China are holding classes as usual, but have asked local authorities to tighten security. Parents are also being asked to watch over their children on their way to and from school.
In Tokyo, Chief Cabinet Secretary Hayashi Yoshimasa expressed regret over the incident and said he hopes for the early recovery of the victims.
Hayashi said the Consulate-General in Shanghai has asked local authorities to share information and take steps to prevent similar incidents.
He said consular officials from Shanghai have been sent to Suzhou to provide support to the people involved.
Hayashi said Japanese consulates across China have issued email alerts, urging Japanese nationals to be on the alert when going out.