Astellas employee won't appeal spying conviction in China
As China uses a two-tier court system, those who are dissatisfied with the first ruling can appeal to a higher court.
In the Astellas employee's case, his sentence will be finalized if he does not file an appeal by the deadline in late July.
A Beijing district court that imposed the prison sentence on the employee is believed to have found him guilty of espionage for providing information about Chinese politics and the economy to an intelligence agency.
Japanese Ambassador to China Kenji Kanasugi and other Japanese Embassy officials were allowed to observe Wednesday's sentencing session. Kanasugi said that the sentence was "extremely regrettable," but he did not provide details of the ruling presented in court.
The employee was detained by Chinese authorities in March 2023, when he was about to leave China after completing his assignment. He was indicted in August 2024.
The administration of Chinese President Xi Jinping, which places importance on national security, established an anti-espionage law in 2014 to enhance the detection of spies. Since then, 17 Japanese nationals have been detained for alleged espionage activities, including five who are still in custody. The Japanese government will continue to press for the early release of all of them.
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Japan Times
an hour ago
- Japan Times
Foreign residents closely follow Japan's election and party pledges
As Japan's foreign population continues to rise both in terms of quantity and diversity, one of the talking points during Sunday's election was how the country should deal with the increase of international residents. While foreign nationals do not have the right to vote unless they naturalize, as residents they contribute to the economy, pay taxes and raise families in Japan. As electoral results could impact their lives, The Japan Times asked several foreign residents to weigh in. Interviews have been edited for brevity and clarity. Mark Williams (55) United States, resident of Japan since 2006 If I could vote myself, I'd want to see stronger enforcement of labor laws. I've been lucky, but I know people in other companies who are stuck in that culture where you can't leave until your boss does. That needs to change — for both Japanese people and foreigners alike. The cost of living is another big one. There are so many middlemen in the distribution process here that it drives up prices unnecessarily. Streamlining that could make a real difference. I have definitely noticed a shift in attitude (regarding foreigners), especially online. However, if I'm being honest, I've experienced far worse back home in the U.S. than I ever have here. There are people who've always held discriminatory views — now they just feel more free to voice them. It's not that there are more people who think this way, just more who are willing to say it out loud. When people say negative things about foreigners online, my wife or daughter will sometimes point it out to me. I might not have noticed otherwise, because I'm not glued to the TV or reading comments all the time. Day-to-day, I've only ever had positive experiences with people in Japan. My coworkers have always treated me well. I've never felt unwelcome in my workplace. I judge people based on how they treat me directly — not based on what's said online or in anonymous comments. Alexander Howell-Jackson (27) United Kingdom, resident of Japan for three years Anti-foreigner sentiment has definitely been rising. You can see it with parties like Sanseito. But it mirrors what's happening in the rest of the world. When the economy's stagnant and prices go up, people look for someone to blame and often that ends up being foreigners. Most Japanese people have never had a meaningful interaction with a foreigner. That leaves a vacuum for media narratives to shape their views. It's funny to see the 'foreigners are taking our jobs' narrative appear here too. Japan has a labor shortage and a shrinking population — there are so many unfilled jobs. There's no way to tell a tourist apart from a foreign resident, so we all get lumped together. Even if I've lived here for years, I get judged by what a tourist did last week. It's frustrating — when tourists don't know the rules, we all pay the price. It's not like we have 'foreign resident' stamped on our forehead with a visa type. That's not to say everyone is falling victim to this rhetoric. Online, the most racist people are the most vocal. Just because you see those kinds of comments doesn't mean everyone thinks like that. Simon Henderson (40) Australia, resident of Japan for three years I've been following the election very closely. It feels like a pivotal moment for Japan. There's a very real possibility of a political shift, which makes this election particularly significant. Foreign nationals contribute substantially to Japan's wellbeing, including through taxes. Yet we're still excluded from voting and often from political discourse entirely. Many of us have deep roots here. We work, we pay taxes, we raise families. But without the right to vote, we remain politically invisible. It's disappointing to see major parties, including the Liberal Democratic Party, echo xenophobic rhetoric rather than challenging it. Instead of framing foreign nationals as threats, Japan's political leaders should recognize the benefits of a more diverse society. Japan isn't alone in this shift. We're seeing nationalism rise worldwide — but that's no excuse for inaction here. Japan has internationalized a lot over the past decade, but its political institutions haven't kept pace with that change. If I could vote, I'd want to back candidates that understand Japan's future depends on inclusion — not fear. Climate change is also a top concern for me. I'd also support parties pushing for human rights reforms and more generous refugee policies. Additionally, it's contradictory that 18-year-olds can vote but can't run for the Upper House until they're 30 (unlike Australia, where the minimum age to run for office is 18). That sends a clear message: young people don't belong in politics. If Japan wants to improve voter turnout and engagement, especially among youth, it needs to reform its outdated candidacy laws. Maximo Arozarena (39) Mexico, resident of Japan for seven years On the surface, (the rhetoric regarding foreign nationals) doesn't always sound that bad — but for people who understand the context, it's a little bit worrying. I'm not super alarmed personally, because I've seen this kind of thing everywhere — in the U.S., even back in Mexico. But that doesn't mean it's harmless. It's part of a global trend that worries me. I think the election last October, where the LDP took a big hit, felt more significant. But this one matters too, especially because of Sanseito gaining ground and how that will shift the tone going forward. There's a lot of stress around the economy — the yen being weak, interest rates, even the ripple effects from tariffs and the U.S. elections. It's all adding to this general anxiety, and you can feel that in the conversations people are having. If I could vote, I'd back (a candidate advocating for) more progressive social policies — equal rights, gay marriage — but also economic strategies that go beyond short-term fixes. I know it's idealistic, but that's what I'd hope for. For example, tourism is critical for Japan's economy now, but the way it's handled isn't sustainable. Locals are frustrated with overtourism, and as someone working in the industry, I feel that frustration too. We need better planning — something that supports the economy without overwhelming communities. Right now, it just feels like we're improvising. One good thing I've seen in recent elections is that Japanese people seem more and more politically engaged. Hopefully, that leads to something positive, and not just empty rhetoric.
The Diplomat
2 hours ago
- The Diplomat
China Issues Diplomatic Protest Over Philippines' Engagement With Taiwan
China has lodged 'stern representations' to the Philippines over its recent engagement with Taiwan, according to the country's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Liu Jinsong, director-general of the Ministry's Department of Asian Affairs, summoned Philippine Ambassador Jaime FlorCruz to express 'strong dissatisfaction' with Manila's recent 'negative moves' concerning Taiwan, as well as other maritime and security issues, the Ministry said in a statement on Friday. 'Bloc politics and camp confrontation reflect a Cold War mentality, which runs counter to the trend of the times and is unwelcome among regional countries,' Lin reportedly added. Such protests have become a commonplace of China-Philippines relations over the past few years, as the two nations have clashed in disputed parts of the South China Sea. While the Chinese Foreign Ministry did not specify the exact incidents that triggered the protest, it 'reaffirmed its longstanding positions on Taiwan and the South China Sea,' the Tribune reported. This suggests that the protest may have been related to a Washington Post report published on July 14, which stated that the Philippines was 'quietly ramping up both formal and informal engagement' with Taiwan, including on security. Citing government officials, defense analysts and diplomats, the report stated that security cooperation 'is further along than publicly disclosed.' Since opening diplomatic relations with Beijing in 1975, the Philippines has officially adhered to a 'One China Policy,' which 'recognizes the Government of the People's Republic of China as the sole legal government of China' and 'fully understands and respects the position of the Chinese Government that there is but one China and that Taiwan is an integral part of Chinese territory.' However, as Taiwan has become the focus of growing tension between China and the United States, and relations between China and the Philippines have deteriorated over the South China Sea, the Philippines has begun more actively to engage it 'unofficially' on an economic and diplomatic level. A Washington Post report suggests this cooperation also has an increasingly robust security dimension. It revealed that the Philippine Coast Guard had recently conducted patrols with its Taiwanese counterpart in the Bashi Channel, which separates Taiwan from Batanes, the Philippines' northernmost province. It said that Taiwan also sent navy and marine corps personnel to observe the Kamandag joint exercise led by the United States and Philippine marines. It said that Taiwanese personnel 'did not officially participate,' but were involved in tabletop planning and 'watched in real time as cooperation unfolded among the U.S. allies.' The Post report quoted a Taiwanese government adviser who said that 'our security and military cooperation with the Philippines is going to get closer and closer.' China has protested every hint of growing closeness between Manila and Taipei. In January 2024, China's government summoned the Philippine ambassador and warned Manila 'not to play with fire' after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. congratulated Lai Ching-te on his election as Taiwan's president. However, the increased engagement with Taiwan, like the Philippines' growing security harmonization with partners like the U.S., Japan, and Australia, is hard to disentangle from China's own policy in the South China Sea, which has involved more frequent and intense incursions into the Philippines' exclusive economic zone. Over the past few years, the two nations have engaged in growing clashes in which the China Coast Guard has allegedly rammed and fired high-pressure water cannons against Philippine coast guard and fisheries bureau vessels. For this reason, the Philippines has been entitled to negotiate the scope of its relationship with Taiwan, Philippine Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro told the Post. He added that 'previous attempts to appease its powerful neighbor have gone nowhere,' in the newspaper's paraphrase. He added, 'It would be hiding from the obvious to say that Taiwan's security will not affect us.'
Japan Times
4 hours ago
- Japan Times
China starts construction on world's largest hydropower dam in Tibet
China's Premier Li Qiang announced the start of construction on what will be the world's largest hydropower dam, located on the eastern rim of the Tibetan plateau and estimated to cost around $170 billion, the official Xinhua news agency said. The project is part of China's push to expand renewable energy and reduce carbon emissions. Consisting of five cascade hydropower stations, the dam will be located in the lower reaches of the Yarlung Zangbo River and could affect millions downstream in India and Bangladesh. Li described the hydropower project as a "project of the century" and said special emphasis "must be placed on ecological conservation to prevent environmental damage", Xinhua said in its report on Saturday. Authorities have not indicated how many people the Tibet project would displace and how it would affect the local ecosystem, one of the richest and most diverse on the plateau. But according to Chinese officials, hydropower projects in Tibet will not have a major impact on the environment or on downstream water supplies. India and Bangladesh have nevertheless raised concerns about the dam. NGOs including the International Campaign for Tibet say the dam will irreversibly harm the Tibetan plateau and that millions of people downstream will face severe livelihood disruptions. The dam is estimated to have a capacity of 300 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity annually and is expected to help meet local energy demand in Tibet and the rest of China. The project will play a major role in meeting China's carbon peaking and carbon neutrality goals, stimulate related industries such as engineering and create jobs in Tibet, Xinhua said in December when the project was first announced. A section of the Yarlung Zangbo falls a dramatic 2,000 meters within a short span of 50 km, offering huge hydropower potential. The Yarlung Zangbo becomes the Brahmaputra river as it leaves Tibet and flows south into India's Arunachal Pradesh and Assam states and finally into Bangladesh. China has already started hydropower generation on the upper reaches of the Yarlung Zangbo, which flows from the west to the east of Tibet.
