China has organized a consular visit for Japanese embassy officials to meet with a Japanese citizen detained on suspicion of espionage, according to a statement from China’s foreign ministry on Wednesday. The arrest of the Japanese individual, formally arrested in October, has significantly impacted the close economic ties between China and Japan.
The detained Japanese businessman, identified in media reports as Hiroshi Nishiyama, has been a veteran member of the Japanese community in China. The arrest, which occurred in March and was formalized in October, has raised concerns and had a notable chilling effect on business connections, as reported by some Tokyo officials.
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, in a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping earlier in November, urged for the swift release of the detained individual. Following this plea, the Japanese Ambassador to China, Hideo Tarumi, met the Astellas Pharma employee, marking the first encounter since the arrest.
China’s foreign ministry spokesperson, Wang Wenbin, stated during a regular news conference that officials from the Japanese embassy in China had been arranged to conduct a consular visit for relevant parties. Wang emphasized that China, as a country under the rule of law, has managed the case in accordance with legal procedures while safeguarding the legitimate rights and interests of the detained individual.
The arrest has strained the robust economic relationship between China and Japan, prompting concerns about the impact on trade and economic cooperation. China, in response, has affirmed its support for China-Japan trade and economic collaboration, asserting that it provides a favorable environment for the lawful operation of Japanese companies and their employees in China.
Currently, five Japanese nationals are detained in China, with a total of 17 detentions since 2015, the year China introduced its anti-espionage law. The law empowers Chinese authorities to address activities perceived as threats to national security. In July of this year, the law was expanded to encompass the leaking of any documents, data, and information related to national security. The situation remains a focal point in the broader diplomatic relations between China and Japan.
