Ruling on Japanese businessman engaged in spying in China finalized
The ruling by Beijing No. 2 Intermediate People's Court on July 16 did not specify how the man in his 60s working for Astellas Pharma Inc. acted illegally. But sources close to diplomatic ties have said the court judged he provided information to a Japanese intelligence agency and received rewards.
The embassy said Monday it will continue to call for the early release of the Japanese citizen.
Japanese Ambassador Kenji Kanasugi said on July 16 after attending the court that he cannot reveal details of the ruling at the request of the convicted man, adding explanation provided at the court "lacked transparency by our standards."
Since China's counterespionage law first came into force in 2014, 17 Japanese citizens including the Astellas Pharma employee have been detained for alleged spying, according to the sources.
Chinese authorities recognized some of the 17 have provided information to Japan's Public Security Intelligence Agency, according to the sources.
The Astellas Pharma employee was detained in March 2023, just ahead of his scheduled return to Japan, was formally arrested in October of that year and was indicted in August 2024.
He had served as an executive at the pharmaceutical company's Chinese unit and a senior official of the Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry in China.
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