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The Hill
13 minutes ago
- Politics
- The Hill
Chinese court sentences a Japanese man to more than 3 years in prison on espionage charges
BEIJING (AP) — A Japanese man was sentenced Wednesday to three and a half years in prison in China on espionage charges, according to the Japanese embassy in Beijing. The embassy did not identify the man, who has been detained since March 2023. Japan's Kyodo News Agency described him as a man in his 60s and an employee of Astellas Pharma Inc., a major Japanese pharmaceutical company. The man was charged with espionage in August and his first hearing was held in November but no details were released. The Beijing No. 2 Intermediate People's Court did not immediately make an announcement after handing down the sentence. Kenji Kanasugi, the Japanese ambassador to China, called the sentencing 'extremely regrettable.' The Japanese government has protested a series of detentions of its citizens in China. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said that judicial authorities had handled the case in strict accordance with the law and that China provides a sound environment for Japanese companies and workers. 'As long as foreign nationals in China abide by the law and engage in lawful employment, there is nothing to worry about,' he said. A total of 17 Japanese citizens with business or other connections to China have been detained since 2014, when China enacted the anti-spying law. Five remain in China, Kyodo reported. A Japanese diplomat was detained for questioning in 2022 and released hours later, prompting strong protests from Japan. Kanasugi was present at Wednesday's ruling, but Japanese reporters were not allowed inside the courtroom. He told reporters that Japan has demanded and will continue to demand the early release of detained Japanese nationals, adding that such detentions are 'one of the biggest obstacles to improving people-to-people exchanges and public sentiment between Japan and China.' A statement released by the Japanese embassy in Beijing urged the Chinese government to ensure the humane treatment of detainees and to improve the transparency of the judicial process. Japan considers China's growing influence in the region as a threat to its national security and economy, and the risks of getting caught in China on espionage allegations are a growing concern in Japan, including its business community. A safety handbook for visitors to China, published by the Japanese embassy in Beijing, urges visitors to use extra caution.
Yahoo
42 minutes ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Chinese court sentences a Japanese man to more than 3 years in prison on espionage charges
BEIJING (AP) — A Japanese man was sentenced Wednesday to three and a half years in prison in China on espionage charges, according to the Japanese embassy in Beijing. The embassy did not identify the man, who has been detained since March 2023. Japan's Kyodo News Agency described him as a man in his 60s and an employee of Astellas Pharma Inc., a major Japanese pharmaceutical company. The man was charged with espionage in August and his first hearing was held in November but no details were released. The Beijing No. 2 Intermediate People's Court did not immediately make an announcement after handing down the sentence. Kenji Kanasugi, the Japanese ambassador to China, called the sentencing 'extremely regrettable." The Japanese government has protested a series of detentions of its citizens in China. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said that judicial authorities had handled the case in strict accordance with the law and that China provides a sound environment for Japanese companies and workers. "As long as foreign nationals in China abide by the law and engage in lawful employment, there is nothing to worry about,' he said. A total of 17 Japanese citizens with business or other connections to China have been detained since 2014, when China enacted the anti-spying law. Five remain in China, Kyodo reported. A Japanese diplomat was detained for questioning in 2022 and released hours later, prompting strong protests from Japan. Kanasugi was present at Wednesday's ruling, but Japanese reporters were not allowed inside the courtroom. He told reporters that Japan has demanded and will continue to demand the early release of detained Japanese nationals, adding that such detentions are 'one of the biggest obstacles to improving people-to-people exchanges and public sentiment between Japan and China.' A statement released by the Japanese embassy in Beijing urged the Chinese government to ensure the humane treatment of detainees and to improve the transparency of the judicial process. Japan considers China's growing influence in the region as a threat to its national security and economy, and the risks of getting caught in China on espionage allegations are a growing concern in Japan, including its business community. A safety handbook for visitors to China, published by the Japanese embassy in Beijing, urges visitors to use extra caution. ___ Yamaguchi reported from Tokyo. Ken Moritsugu And Mari Yamaguchi, The Associated Press 登入存取你的投資組合
Straits Times
2 hours ago
- Business
- Straits Times
Beijing reaffirms normalisation of ties with EU ahead of July summit
Find out what's new on ST website and app. FILE PHOTO: EU and Chinese flags are seen in this illustration taken, March 20, 2025. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo BEIJING - China reaffirmed on Wednesday that it is normalising ties with the European Parliament, as Beijing seeks to forge closer economic and political ties with Brussels amid flaring global trade frictions. "In recent years, exchanges between Chinese and European legislative bodies have encountered some setbacks due to well-known reasons," China's foreign ministry said, referring to disputes over alleged human rights abuses in the Xinjiang region. "Under current circumstances, both sides believe it is very important for China and Europe to strengthen dialogue and cooperation," spokesperson Lin Jian said, adding that Beijing and the European Parliament had decided to lift all restrictions on mutual exchanges of lawmakers. The comments by China's foreign ministry came after the South China Morning Post reported that Beijing had removed "restrictions" on former EU lawmaker Reinhard Buetikofer sanctioned in 2021. The normalisation of ties was first confirmed by both the European Parliament and Beijing earlier this year. Wednesday's remarks also came ahead of a China-EU leaders' summit slated for later this month when the EU's Ursula von der Leyen and Antonio Costa are expected to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang in Beijing. In March 2021, China blacklisted 10 EU individuals and four entities in response to Brussels' sanctions against Chinese officials for human rights abuses in Xinjiang. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Over 600 Telegram groups in Singapore selling, advertising vapes removed by HSA Singapore Strong argument for cockpit video recording, says Iata chief in wake of Air India crash report Singapore Here comes the sun: Less rain, more warm days in second half of July Asia Former deputy minister seen as surprise front runner for Malaysia's next Chief Justice: Sources Singapore Baby died after mum took abortion pills and gave birth in toilet; coroner records an open verdict Business Tycoon Robert Kuok's daughter Kuok Hui Kwong appointed CEO of Shangri-La Asia Singapore Acute psychiatry services to be expanded across all healthcare clusters: MOH Singapore New network links Home Team psychologists, mental health bodies to boost emergency response Buetikofer, a German politician who chaired the European Parliament's delegation to China at the time, was among those sanctioned, barred from entering China or doing business with it. Beijing had accused those sanctioned of seriously harming the country's sovereignty and interests over Xinjiang. REUTERS
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- 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.
The Sun
4 hours ago
- Business
- The Sun
Japanese businessman jailed in China for espionage sparks diplomatic tension
BEIJING: A Japanese businessman has been sentenced to three and a half years in prison by a Chinese court on espionage charges, further straining diplomatic ties between Tokyo and Beijing. The employee of pharmaceutical firm Astellas was detained in March 2023 and formally arrested in October before receiving the verdict this week. Japanese ambassador Kenji Kanasugi expressed deep regret over the ruling, calling it 'extremely regrettable' in remarks to Japanese media. The case adds to existing tensions between the two nations, which have long clashed over territorial disputes and historical grievances. China's foreign ministry defended the judicial process, with spokesman Lin Jian stating that authorities handle cases 'in strict accordance with the law.' He assured foreign nationals in China that compliance with local laws eliminates any cause for concern. According to Japanese broadcaster NHK, five Japanese citizens, including the Astellas executive, are currently detained or imprisoned in China. Tokyo has repeatedly urged Beijing for their release, with the embassy issuing a fresh appeal for transparency and humane treatment following the latest sentencing. The convicted man, who reportedly spent two decades working in China and held a senior role in a Japanese business lobby, was preparing to return home before his abrupt detention. The case underscores ongoing friction in Sino-Japanese relations, with consular access and judicial fairness remaining contentious issues. – AFP
