China sentences Japanese man to three years and six months in prison for alleged espionage. The Beijing No. 2 Intermediate People’s Court delivered the verdict on Wednesday, drawing criticism from Tokyo and raising concerns about future diplomatic ties.
The accused worked for Astellas Pharma Inc. Japanese Ambassador Kenji Kanasugi denounced the ruling as “extremely regrettable” and warned it could damage bilateral relations.
Japan Pushes for Early Release
Japan continues to call for the man’s release. Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba previously brought up the issue with Chinese President Xi Jinping during a summit in Peru last November.
Despite repeated appeals from Japanese officials, China maintained its position. Kanasugi reaffirmed that the Japanese government would offer full support to the detainee.
Conviction Surrounded by Secrecy
Authorities detained the man in March 2023, just before his scheduled flight to Japan. Prosecutors filed formal charges in October and moved to trial in August 2024. The Beijing court held a closed-door session in November to hear the case.
Ambassador Kanasugi attended the 15-minute hearing. He stated that the explanation offered in court fell short of Japan’s transparency standards. Although the man remained silent during the session, he accepted the verdict calmly.
Kanasugi also explained that the embassy could not share further details, respecting the man’s request for confidentiality.
Beijing Defends Legal Process
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian insisted the authorities followed proper legal procedures. He emphasized that the judicial system respected the man’s rights and due process.
“China always welcomes foreign companies,” Lin said, “but they must obey Chinese laws. There’s nothing to worry about if they comply.”
Espionage Cases Increase Diplomatic Tension
Chinese courts recently issued similar rulings. In May, a Shanghai court gave another Japanese citizen 12 years for espionage. Since China enacted its counterespionage law in 2014, 17 Japanese citizens have faced detention. Five remain in Chinese custody today.
After the latest conviction, Japan’s Foreign Ministry filed a formal protest with the Chinese Embassy in Tokyo. Officials urged China to release all five detainees promptly and treat them humanely.
Legal Climate and Expatriate Decline
Ambassador Kanasugi warned that espionage-related arrests hinder diplomatic and public exchanges. He believes these cases now rank among the top obstacles to improving Japan–China relations.
In 2023, China expanded its counterespionage law. The revision widened the definition of “spying,” triggering concern among expatriates and foreign investors about vague enforcement.
Partly due to rising fears, fewer Japanese nationals now live in China. Government data shows that, as of last October, only 97,538 Japanese citizens remained—marking the first drop below 100,000 in 20 years.
