Japanese National Sentenced to 3.5 Years in China for Espionage

A Chinese court has sentenced a Japanese national to three and a half years in prison on charges of espionage. The verdict was delivered on Wednesday, July 16, according to the Japanese embassy in Beijing.

Japan’s national news agency Kyodo News reported that the convicted individual was an employee of Astellas Pharma Inc., a Japanese pharmaceutical company. The Beijing Intermediate People’s Court found him guilty of engaging in espionage activities.

Japanese Ambassador to China, Kenji Kanasugi, expressed regret over the ruling, telling reporters, “This is extremely unfortunate. The Japanese government will continue to press for his early release and provide all necessary support.”

The Japanese citizen was initially detained in March 2023, just before he was scheduled to return to Japan. He was formally arrested in October 2023, and charges were officially filed against him in August 2024.