Latest news with #JapaneseAmbassador
Free Malaysia Today
7 days ago
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
China jails Japanese national for espionage, says embassy
Japanese ambassador to China Kenji Kanasugi speaks during a news conference in Beijing. (Kyodo News/AP pic) BEIJING : A court in China sentenced a Japanese businessman to three-and-a-half years in prison on Wednesday for spying, Tokyo's ambassador in Beijing said. The man, an employee of the Japanese pharmaceutical company Astellas, was detained in March 2023 and placed under formal arrest in October. He was 'sentenced to three years and six months in prison for espionage activities', Kenji Kanasugi, Japanese ambassador to China, told Japanese media after the trial in Beijing. 'It is extremely regrettable that such a guilty verdict was issued,' he said. A foreign ministry spokesman in Beijing said China's judicial organs 'handle cases in strict accordance with the law'. 'As long as foreign personnel in China and coming to China abide by the law… there is nothing to be worried or anxious about,' spokesman Lin Jian told a regular news conference when asked about the Japanese businessman's case. Five Japanese nationals, including the Astellas official, are in custody or serving prison terms in China, according to Japanese public broadcaster NHK. Tokyo has repeatedly called on Beijing to release them, and Wednesday's sentence deals a blow to ties, long frayed over territorial disputes, Japan's colonial history and other flashpoints. 'In light of the sentence, we have once again strongly urged the Chinese side for the early release of the Japanese national concerned in this case as well as others detained,' Tokyo's embassy in Beijing said in a statement. It also urged China 'to ensure their legitimate rights and humane treatment during detention and to improve the transparency of the judicial process'. Beijing's foreign ministry said it would provide Japan the ability to 'perform consular duties'. The detained man had reportedly worked in China for two decades and was previously a senior executive at a major Japanese business lobby in the country. He was planning to return home before his sudden detention, according to Japan's Kyodo News Agency.
Yahoo
16-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
China hands 3-1/2-year prison sentence to Astellas' Japanese employee, Nikkei says
TOKYO (Reuters) -A Beijing court on Wednesday sentenced a Japanese employee of Astellas Pharma to 3-1/2 years in prison, the Nikkei newspaper reported, citing the Japanese ambassador to China. The man had been detained since March 2023 on suspicion of spying and had been indicted about a year ago. Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said on Wednesday that the country's judicial authorities handle cases in accordance with the law, when asked a question about a Beijing court sentencing an employee of a Japanese pharmaceutical company to prison for espionage. The question did not name the company. China has always supported China-Japan economic and trade cooperation, and provides a good environment for the lawful operations of Japanese enterprises and personnel in China, Lin told a regular press briefing.
South China Morning Post
11-06-2025
- Business
- South China Morning Post
China and Japan must overcome mutual hostility while also handling Trump's tariffs: envoy
China and Japan must work hard to improve public opinion towards each other, Japan's top envoy in Beijing said, as the Asian neighbours move to stabilise ties amid shared concerns about tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump 'The most difficult aspect of current Japan-China relations is the sentiment between the two peoples and, very unfortunately, there are still some negative perceptions that linger in Japan regarding China, and vice versa in the Chinese society regarding Japan,' said Kenji Kanasugi , who has been Japan's ambassador to China since late 2023. 'This situation cannot be easily remedied overnight, yet what is imperative is to make steady progress, addressing concrete challenges one by one, and proactively promoting practical cooperation,' he told students and academics at Renmin University in Beijing on Tuesday. 01:49 Hegseth reaffirms US-Japan alliance against 'aggressive Communist Chinese' Hegseth reaffirms US-Japan alliance against 'aggressive Communist Chinese' Although international tourism reportedly recovered to pre-pandemic levels last year, Kanasugi noted that travel between the two countries appeared to lag, even as China resumed visa-free entry to Japanese citizens in November. 'Unfortunately, there are still some Japanese who feel anxious about visiting China due to differing reasons. We continue to raise this issue with the Chinese government on various occasions,' he said. With ties already complicated by wartime history and territorial disputes in the East China Sea, relations between Beijing and Tokyo have been further strained, including over China's import ban of Japanese seafood since 2023 after Japan released treated waste water from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant into the ocean. Political friction has deepened as Tokyo aligned more closely with Washington's efforts to contain China in recent years. Reports of Japanese academics and businessmen being detained in China and attacks on Japanese citizens have further soured public sentiment on both sides.
NHK
10-06-2025
- Business
- NHK
Matcha tea maker from Kagoshima taps new markets in US
Matcha green tea is extending its fan base beyond Japan. An ambitious producer in the country's southwest is making a pitch for the locally-produced beverage in the United States. The president of Kagoshima Seicha tea company, Mori Hiroyuki, was in Washington last weekend. He attended an event at the Japanese ambassador's residence. US government officials were among those lining up to sample a cocktail he offered. It was made from matcha powder and shochu, a Japanese spirit. One guest had high praise for the drink. "This is really good," she said, "It's like it's such an unusual taste. And with the tea and the spirit, the Japanese spirit, it's really good." Mori aims to raise consumer awareness of the tea product. "I hope to raise the brand value of Kagoshima tea when demand for matcha green tea is surging," he said. The company is based in Kagoshima Prefecture, a main hub for unrefined tea. It overtook Shizuoka as the top producer last year. But prices for the Kagoshima variety have not risen as expected because it is still not as widely known as brands from Shizuoka or Kyoto.
Daily Mail
01-06-2025
- General
- Daily Mail
The internet swoons over the UK's 'wholesome' new Japan Ambassador for his enthusiastic love of Britain, joyful videos and fascination with Paddington Bear
Brits are rallying for the Japanese Ambassador to the UK - who has won over people's hearts with his enthusiasm for the Four Nations - to be Prime Minister after swooning over the diplomat's adorable posts celebrating traditions across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Hiroshi Suzuki, who has been dubbed 'the Paddington Bear of Ambassadors' has shared snaps of him tucking into haggis, chugging Irn Bru, singing in Welsh and drinking pints on social media. And after sharing a wrap of his first four months in the job in March, adoration for the Kyoto-born politician, 63, soared. Commenters were in awe of Hiroshi's excitement for his duties and his delight at British traditions - with many dubbing him a much better representative for the general public than 10 Downing Street. 'Why is the Japanese ambassador a far better promoter of the UK than any of our snivelling politicians?' one penned. 'None of ours can even convincingly hold a pint like they know what to do with it.' 'Can we make you our PM?' another added. A third gushed: 'Countries will spend billions to build international relations when it turns out all you needed to do was send one man who openly respects the culture. Arigatou Gozaimasu.' 'No mater who the government is in the future, we should all agree that he stays the ambassador,' another found. Hiroshi, who has more than 125,600 followers on X has truly immersed himself in the culture. Snaps have seen him at a traditional pub, enjoying roast dinners, sporting a very dapper top hat at a Buckingham Palace garden party, and walking in bluebells. In October, he shared an excited video of himself holding both the Japanese flag and the Union Jack eagerly titled 'London, here I come!!' 'Hello, I'm Hiroshi Suzuki, the next Japanese Ambassador to the UK,' he said. 'I am returning to London after 12 years - I'm very much looking forward to working with my friends to strengthen the UK-Japan partnership to a higher dimension.' And in just under half a year, it seems Hiroshi already has - by throwing himself head first into all things British. Just a few weeks into his new role, the diplomat beamed as he popped on a Japanese rugby shirt on to cheer on a game his country's team was playing against England 'at Twickers'. A few weeks later, he donned a red jumper and relished in a pint, toasting viewers a 'Happy New Year!' It would seem the Ambassador is quite the fan of British taverns, more than once stating in posts that he (and Paddington Bear) are 'enjoying pub'. Hiroshi has a special fondness for the fictional British-Peruvian bear after being compared to the beloved character himself. Getting a plush teddy, the politician has shared selfies taking the stuffed animal on journeys across different landmarks, including the London Eye. In his trademark fashion, he has also made UK officials pose with toys, including Parliamentary Under Secretary of State Gareth Thomas and Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham. While Speaker of the House of Commons Sir Lindsay Hoyle did not picture with a bear, he gifted Hiroshi his own teddy wearing the Speaker's robe. His wife, Eiko, has also taken the beloved toy to Osaka in Japan to experience the opening of Expo 2025, an exhibition of global designs dedicated to the UN's Sustainable Development Goals. Adorned with a pin of the Japanese and English flags, Paddington was seen swapping the marmalade sandwiches for spicy noodles at Shin Osaka Station, before hopping on the bullet train. Paddington also met the Expo mascot after visiting a famous Kimono shop in Gion - his wife said the owners were 'overjoyed' to welcome him. He also tried a Bento box, an Ekiben (a lunch box) and visited a Zen garden in Kyoto and posed with a statue of Totoro, from the Studio Ghibli movie. On January 9, Hiroshi wrote that he '<3' Welsh cakes as he enjoyed a breakfast in Cardiff. That same month, he wowed Brits by singing the country's national anthem, Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau, in its native tongue - and was heavily praised for his efforts. The Ambassador explained the inspiration came from a visit from the Welsh national team to Japan for the Rugby World Cup in 2019. 'The Japanese local people welcomed them by singing the national anthem in Welsh,' he said. 'It was the First Minister who told me this story, and then I thought, "oh maybe I could sing the national anthem in Welsh as well!"'. His Welsh accent impressed fans and he admitted he 'practised hard' singing the tune four or five times a day. Colleagues would hold the lyrics written in Japanese 'and I practice, practice, practice and finally I could make that video', he admitted, but 'I just couldn't hit the high note in the second half'. Other highlights include enjoying fish and chips at the Sarson's vinegar factory in Manchester, enjoying a production of Much Ado About Nothing at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre and tucking into teacakes. Hiroshi, who has also heavily engaged with Japanese communities and events in the UK, also has been known to incorporate his own culture in celebrations. In constant efforts to fuse the interests of the two nations, on Burns Night Hiroshi wished good will and commented that 'Auld Lang Syne is very popular in Japan, always sung on graduation ceremonies'. For St David's Day, he brandished origami daffodil flowers. Elsewhere, for St Patrick's Day, he enjoyed some matcha - fashioned into a four leaf clover. Hiroshi had also attended the Hanami gathering in Regent's Park to see the cherry trees planted six years ago as part of the Sakura Cherry Tree Project. The tree planting program from 2017 was intended to symbolise friendship between Japan and the UK, with more than 8,000 Sakura trees now planted across the UK. He explained that 'the Sakura Cherry Tree Project was conceived as a symbol of the never-changing friendship between Japan and the UK in the aftermath of the Brexit vote in 2016'. The diplomat continued: 'It was proposed by Mr Keisaku Sandy Sano, then-Chairman of the Japan Association in the UK, and launched together with Mr Takashi Tsukamoto, then-Chairman of the Japan-British Society and myself, then-Prime Minister Abe's Private Secretary for Foreign Affairs. 'The Project originally targeted planting 1,000 Sakura cherry trees, and since then has made steady progress, with around 8,000 Sakura cherry trees already planted all over the UK. 'These trees are now blooming in numerous locations across the country. I would like to express my heartfelt appreciation to all the people who have pursued it with great passion and endeavours. 'I trust that these trees which have been planted as a symbol of the bonds of friendship between our two countries will be loved and well taken care of by the British people, and that such bonds will continue to spread further.' Hirosihi has enjoyed British watering holes on his visit to the Churchill Arms and shared a video of him drinking a pint on New Years Day Adorned with a pin of the Japanese and English flags, Paddington has been exploring Japan while Hiroshi and his wife have visited Hiroshi's wife, Eiko, has now taken the beloved toy to Osaka in Japan to experience the opening of Expo 2025 In his greeting statement, Hiroshi opened up about his fondness for the UK after previously working at the British Embassy of Japan more than a decade ago. 'When I arrived at Heathrow Airport, returning to London after 12 years, memories crossed my mind of the time when I left Heathrow for Japan at the end of 2012,' he expressed. 'I was Public Affairs Minister at the Embassy at that time. A general election was held in Japan in mid-December, and on the voting day I was recalled to Japan because I was designated to become Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's Private Secretary. Five days later, I looked through the window over London from the plane and I vowed to myself that I would return here someday. 'Subsequently, I served seven years and seven months as PM Abe's Private Secretary for Foreign Affairs, two years as Senior Deputy Foreign Minister and G7/G20 Sherpa, and two years in Delhi as Ambassador of Japan to India and Bhutan. I have finally been able to return to the UK after all these years.' Hiroshi - who has also worked in the US, Rome, Tehran and Seoul - added that his connection with the UK began with Eiko's British friends. 'In the late 1970s, an exchange programme was started between a university run by my wife's relatives and Eton College, whereby Eton students would stay with my wife's family every summer,' he explained. 'My wife, in turn, stayed with one of these families and was treated like a daughter by the parents, perhaps because they had four sons but no daughter of their own, and she began to spend her summers there almost every other year. After we had a daughter of our own, we also took her to stay with them, and over three generations we have shared a long family history.' He then in the late 90s began to visit the family, adding that the father - a 'Knight of Malta and a former member of the Irish Guards' passed away just before he left the UK in 2012. 'But the mother, who is over 90 years old, is still looking after the house,' Hiroshi continued. 'I can't wait to visit her and spend time surrounded by the undulating meadows and the woods dotted within them. And, of course, I'm looking forward to enjoying a pint of ale in a nearby cosy local pub.' He concluded: 'We hope to become experts on the UK, just as he was an expert on Japan. Please tell us where we should visit and what we should see.
