Japanese people were not afraid to live in Hong Kong despite a violent attack on a Japanese couple on the Tsim Sha Tsui East promenade last month near their Hung Hom home amid Sino-Japanese tensions over the disputed Diaoyu Islands, Consul General Yuji Kumamaru said yesterday. "We are not feeling any particular problem … That has been taken care of," he said. His comments, made at National Day celebrations in Wan Chai, come after anti-Japanese sentiment soared following Tokyo's decision to buy several of the islands, called the Senkakus in Japan. Japanese businesses in Shenzhen, Guangzhou and Qingdao were attacked as ensuing protests turned violent. The consulate warned its 22,000 citizens in the city to avoid deserted places and protests.

Two 15-year-old boys, unemployed 19-year-old Wong Wai-kin and 30-year-old transport worker Chan Sze-kit entered no pleas yesterday when they appeared in Eastern Court charged with aiding and abetting the escape of a 15-year-old girl from lawful custody. The girl, who is under a care and protection order, entered no plea to a charge of escaping. The four males are alleged to have helped the girl escape from social welfare officers at Tuen Mun Court on Friday. Chan and the 15-year-old boys are also accused of assaulting a police officer, and Chan of obstructing one. The case was adjourned to October 29 at Eastern Court and all five were remanded in custody.