Tokyo demands release of Japan man detained in China for ‘violating domestic law’
- The Japanese national in his 50s was taken into custody in Beijing earlier this month for violating domestic law, a government spokesman said
- China’s foreign ministry said on Monday the man was suspected of espionage. A Japanese pharmaceutical company has acknowledged that he’s an employee
Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno told a news conference that Japan’s embassy in China was informed by the Chinese authorities that a Japanese man in his 50s was taken into custody in Beijing earlier in March over allegedly violating domestic law.
Matsuno said the Japanese government has since demanded the early release of the Japanese national. Japan also requested that Chinese authorities allow the man access to Japanese consulate officials. He said Japan’s government is providing as much support for the man as possible, including communicating with relevant parties.
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The relevant Chinese authorities earlier this month adopted compulsory measures in accordance with criminal law against the individual for case examination, foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said at a regular news briefing . “This Japanese citizen is suspected of engaging in espionage activities,” Mao said.
Astellas Pharma, a Japanese pharmaceutical company, acknowledged that the man detained in Beijing is an employee of the firm, but declined to disclose further details, including his name, position and whether he is based in China. The company said it was seeking information from Japan’s Foreign Ministry.