Japan's consulate general in Shanghai says a Chinese court sentenced a Japanese man to 12 years in prison for espionage on Tuesday.



The man in his 50s was taken into custody in Shanghai in December 2021. Following arrest and indictment, his trial began in October 2023.



The Japanese Consulate-General in Shanghai says its officials were allowed to observe Tuesday's trial, but that it cannot disclose the details, citing privacy protections.



Japanese officials were not permitted to be present at the first hearing of the man's trial.



On the same day the ruling was handed down, the Japanese Embassy in Beijing reiterated its demands to the Chinese Foreign Ministry that Japanese nationals detained in China be released early.



Embassy officials also called on the ministry to ensure the transparency of the judicial process and treat those detained humanely.



A number of Japanese nationals have been taken into custody in China for alleged spying and other allegations since the country introduced an anti-espionage law in 2014. At least 17 Japanese have been detained.



The man is the 11th Japanese to face a prison sentence under the law.