Japan and China have a long and complex relationship, but recent events have caused growing tension between the two nations. One key issue is the safety of Japanese citizens working in China, especially after a Japanese employee at Astellas Pharma Inc. was accused of spying. This incident has made many Japanese citizens and businesses in China feel worried about their safety.
Japanese Business Community on Edge
The man in question, who works for a major Japanese drug company, Astellas, was detained by Chinese authorities in 2023. He had lived and worked in China for more than 20 years and was well-known in the business community. His arrest has sparked concerns among Japanese citizen living in China, as many fear that they could also be accused of espionage, or spying, without clear reasons.
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This fear has grown because China has recently changed its laws to make its anti-spying rules even stricter. Since 2012, when Chinese President Xi Jinping came to power, he has put a lot of focus on national security. Part of this focus has been on cracking down on espionage, which means catching and punishing people who are suspected of spying. Since 2014, at least 17 Japanese nationals have been detained under these rules.
In 2023, China made these rules even tougher. Now, Chinese authorities can search people’s phones and other devices if they think they might be involved in spying. This has led to concerns that Japanese citizens entering China could have their phones and computers inspected by the police. As a result, some Japanese companies have told their employees not to bring their work computers when traveling to China and to be careful about taking photos in public places.
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Many Japanese citizen in China say they are not sure what actions might be seen as spying. This makes it difficult for them to focus on their jobs because they are constantly worried about doing something that could get them in trouble. The Japanese Chamber of Commerce has asked Chinese authorities to explain what actions are considered illegal so that people can avoid them, but so far, there has been little clarity.
Safety Concerns of Japanese Citizens
In addition to concerns about being accused of spying, Japanese people in China are also worried about their physical safety. In June, there was a violent attack on a bus carrying Japanese schoolchildren in Suzhou, a city near Shanghai. A man attacked the bus with a knife, injuring a Japanese woman, her child, and a Chinese bus attendant. The bus attendant later died from her injuries. This attack has made many Japanese people in China feel unsafe.
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After the attack, the Japanese Chamber of Commerce asked local Chinese officials to investigate why it happened and to take steps to protect Japanese citizens in the area. The Chinese authorities said that the attack was an isolated incident, meaning that it was a one-time event and not part of a larger pattern of violence. However, the incident has still left many Japanese people feeling uneasy.
Impact on Business and Relations
These growing safety concerns come at a time when Japan and China are also facing tensions in other areas, especially in business. China has been tightening its control over data that is sent to other countries, including Japan. In 2017, China introduced three new data security laws that make it harder for foreign companies to share information with their offices in other countries. This has created problems for Japanese businesses that need to transfer data between their headquarters in Japan and their operations in China.
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The tougher business environment in China has led to a decrease in foreign investment. In fact, the amount of money that foreign companies invested in China last year was the lowest it has been since 2000. Despite this, Chinese regional governments are still trying to attract Japanese businesses to help boost their local economies. However, Japanese companies are concerned about the safety and security of their employees, and many believe that the Chinese government needs to do more to protect them.
The combination of these factors—safety concerns, tough new laws, and a challenging business environment—has strained the relationship between Japan and China. Japanese businesses are looking for more transparency and reassurance from China, but until they get it, the tension is likely to continue.
