China Sentences Japanese National with 3.5 Years for Espionage Charges

2025-07-16 02:26:35

(MENAFN) A Chinese court handed down a prison term of three and a half years on Wednesday to a Japanese national accused of spying, the Japanese embassy in Beijing confirmed.

The Beijing No. 2 Intermediate People's Court found the employee of Japanese pharmaceutical company Astellas Pharma Inc. guilty of espionage, according to statements made by Japan’s Ambassador to China, Kenji Kanasugi, as reported by media.

Ambassador Kanasugi expressed deep concern over the verdict, saying, "This is extremely regrettable."

He emphasized that efforts will persist to secure the man’s prompt release and provide full support for him.

Authorities detained the individual in March 2023 just before he was set to return to Japan. He was officially arrested in October 2023 and subsequently charged in August 2024.

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