China has noted reports that two Chinese men were seriously beaten in Tokyo, and urged the Japanese side to take effective measures to ensure the safety of Chinese citizens, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said in Beijing on Thursday.

Four unidentified men in their 20s attacked the victims with iron pipes in Chiyoda Ward in Japanese capital Tokyo at around 9 a.m. local time, and fled the scene in a car with a Kansai license plate, Jiji Press reported.

In response, spokesperson Guo Jiakun told a press briefing that China has noted relevant reports, adding that the Chinese Embassy in Japan immediately expressed its concern to the Japanese side and is further verifying the situation.

The two victims, sustaining serious head injuries and bleeding, said they had no prior acquaintance with the attackers, and no demands for money or anything else were made, the report said.

The two Chinese men were walking down the street when the incident happened.

Police were searching for the attackers at the time of reporting.

(With input from Xinhua)