What’s new: China has taken “criminal compulsory measures” against a Japanese citizen this month on suspected spying activities, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed Monday amid reports that an employee of a Japanese firm was detained.
The person allegedly violated China’s anti-espionage law and criminal law, foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said during a daily briefing. The compulsory measures taken could involve arrest, detention, residential surveillance or bail pending trial.
Mao added that China has informed the Japanese Embassy in China regarding the matter, and urged Tokyo to “strengthen education” for their citizens, noting similar cases have occurred repeatedly in recent years.
The background: Japanese drugmaker Astellas Pharma Inc. said the person detained in Beijing is one of their employees, according to reports from Kyodo News and Japan Times, which added that the detained person is a male in his 50s.
More than a dozen Japanese nationals have been detained in China for their alleged involvement in espionage activities since 2015, the reports said.
Contact reporter Kelly Wang (jingzhewang@caixin.com) and editor Bertrand Teo (bertrandteo@caixin.com)
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