A Japanese businessman has been placed under criminal detention in China after being taken into custody on espionage charges. Chinese authorities are believed to soon decide whether to formally arrest him.
The man in his 50s is an employee of Japanese drug maker Astellas Pharma. He was detained in March in Beijing by the relevant authorities, and has been placed under surveillance at the facility where he is being held.
The Japanese Embassy in the capital says it made inquiries about the man earlier this month and was told by Chinese authorities that he had been taken into criminal detention.
It is believed that they will decide whether to formally arrest him within 37 days of the start of the detention.
The man has roughly 20 years of experience working in China and is said to know the situation in the country well. The Japanese government has strongly urged China to release him.
His detention is among a string of cases in which China has detained Japanese nationals on spy charges since 2014, when its anti-espionage law came into force.
Observers say the investigation of the man who had been engaged in business in the country for many years may cause concern to spread among foreigners in China.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said at a news conference on Wednesday that she is not aware of the man's situation.
She said China will deal with cases in accordance with the law and protect relevant people's legitimate rights.
The man in his 50s is an employee of Japanese drug maker Astellas Pharma. He was detained in March in Beijing by the relevant authorities, and has been placed under surveillance at the facility where he is being held.
The Japanese Embassy in the capital says it made inquiries about the man earlier this month and was told by Chinese authorities that he had been taken into criminal detention.
It is believed that they will decide whether to formally arrest him within 37 days of the start of the detention.
The man has roughly 20 years of experience working in China and is said to know the situation in the country well. The Japanese government has strongly urged China to release him.
His detention is among a string of cases in which China has detained Japanese nationals on spy charges since 2014, when its anti-espionage law came into force.
Observers say the investigation of the man who had been engaged in business in the country for many years may cause concern to spread among foreigners in China.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said at a news conference on Wednesday that she is not aware of the man's situation.
She said China will deal with cases in accordance with the law and protect relevant people's legitimate rights.
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Summary
Japanese businessman from Astellas Pharma, aged around 50, detained in China on espionage charges. Chinese authorities may decide to arrest him within the next few days. The individual has worked in China for about 20 years and is well-versed in the country's situation. This is one of several
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ID: 60df6389-16d9-4a68-991d-4fb0f51b6f70
Category ID: nhk
URL: https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230920_32/
Date: Sept. 20, 2023
Created: 2023/09/21 07:13
Updated: 2025/12/08 23:24
Last Read: 2023/09/21 07:54