China detains Japanese man in Shanghai, details unclear as Tokyo calls for early release
- Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s government asked China via consulate for opportunity to meet the man who is believed in good health, chief cabinet secretary says
- Since 2015, some 16 Japanese citizens have been detained in China on various charges, including espionage
Chinese authorities have detained a Japanese man in his 50s in Shanghai, although details of the detention and the reason for it remain unknown, the Japanese foreign ministry said on Thursday.
Since 2015, some 16 Japanese citizens have been detained in China on various charges, including espionage. At least 10 have been indicted and nine have received prison sentences of up to 15 years.
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The government’s top spokesman also said Japan had lodged a protest against China over the death of a Japanese man in his 70s who was detained in Beijing in 2015 and given a 12-year prison term for spying.
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The man, who died of illness this month at a Beijing hospital, used to work for an airline and often visited China as a consultant, according to sources well-informed about Sino-Japanese relations.
A number of other foreign nationals have also been held in China, particularly after a counter-espionage law took effect in 2014 and a national security law in 2015.
