A Japanese man was sentenced on Wednesday to three and a half years in prison in China for espionage, as reported by the Japanese embassy in Beijing.
The embassy did not disclose the man’s identity, noting that he has been in custody since March 2023. Japan’s Kyodo News Agency characterized him as a man in his 60s and an employee of Astellas Pharma Inc., a prominent Japanese pharmaceutical firm.
He faced espionage charges in August, with his initial hearing taking place in November, although no specifics were made public.
The Beijing No. 2 Intermediate People’s Court did not issue an immediate statement following the sentencing.
Kenji Kanasugi, the Japanese ambassador to China, expressed that the sentencing is “extremely regrettable.” The Japanese government has raised concerns over a series of detentions involving its citizens in China.
Lin Jian, spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, stated that judicial authorities managed the case in strict compliance with the law and emphasized that China offers a favorable environment for Japanese businesses and employees.
He remarked, “As long as foreign nationals in China adhere to the law and engage in lawful employment, there is nothing to worry about.”
Since the implementation of the anti-spying law in 2014, a total of 17 Japanese citizens with business or other ties to China have been detained. According to Kyodo, five of them remain in China. In 2022, a Japanese diplomat was briefly detained for questioning and released within hours, which led to significant protests from Japan.
Kanasugi attended the ruling on Wednesday, but Japanese journalists were barred from entering the courtroom. He informed reporters that Japan has requested and will persist in demanding the prompt release of detained Japanese nationals, asserting that such detentions represent “one of the biggest obstacles to enhancing people-to-people exchanges and public sentiment between Japan and China.”
A statement issued by the Japanese embassy in Beijing called on the Chinese government to guarantee the humane treatment of detainees and to enhance the transparency of the judicial process.
Japan views China’s increasing influence in the region as a potential threat to its national security and economy, and the possibility of being implicated in espionage allegations while in China is a rising concern in Japan, particularly among its business sector. A safety guide for travelers to China, released by the Japanese embassy in Beijing, advises visitors to exercise heightened caution.
