4 days ago
Returned Japanese detainee recalls painful ordeal in China
A Japanese man who returned home after being imprisoned for espionage in China for six years says one of the worst things was not knowing what was going on.
Suzuki Hideji was detained in Beijing in 2016 on suspicion of endangering national security. He maintained his innocence during the ordeal.
But a Chinese court ruled he had been involved in spying, handing down a six-year sentence. Suzuki said there was lack of transparency throughout the process.
Suzuki says, "The reality is that you don't know when you will be taken into custody, or for what reason."
He added that the process needs to be transparent during such an experience, and human rights need to be respected.
He also said the independence of the judiciary and the rule of law should be promoted.
Suzuki added that one of the most important things is for the Japanese government to get its citizens released quickly.
Suzuki expressed the view that the foreign ministry should set up a special section to specialize in crisis management.
He said, "It is important to give people a sense of security and trust by doing so. It is also important that the Japanese prime minister requests that China's President Xi Jinping release the detainees."
Suzuki said the current system under Xi Jinping emphasizes national security, and that close monitoring of foreigners will continue.
