A Japanese man working for Astellas Pharma Inc. in China was taken into custody by Chinese authorities, and it has now been two years since his detention. The man, who was in his 50s and an employee of the major pharmaceutical company, was arrested in Beijing while he was on his way to the airport to return home. Despite repeated requests from the Japanese government for his release, he remains in detention.
The man had been working in China for years and was also a senior member of a Japanese business group operating in the country. However, Chinese authorities have not explained what specific actions led to his arrest. He was officially charged with espionage in August last year, and his first trial was held in November at a Beijing court. So far, no clear evidence has been presented to the public regarding the accusations against him.
Since the arrest, Japanese companies have become increasingly cautious about sending their employees to China, fearing similar detentions. Many businesspeople and researchers have also expressed their concerns, with some saying they are avoiding traveling to China altogether.
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Espionage Accusations Without Explanation
This case is not the first of its kind. Since 2015, at least 17 Japanese citizens have been detained in China on suspicion of espionage and other charges. Out of those, five individuals have still not been able to return home. The situation has created tension between Japan and China, especially because there is little transparency regarding the reasons behind these arrests.
In July 2023, China introduced a new anti-espionage law, giving authorities more power to crack down on activities they believe are harmful to national security. However, the law has been criticized for its vague wording, which leaves room for broad interpretation. This has made many foreign companies and workers feel uneasy, as they fear they could be accused of espionage without clear reasons.
A spokesperson from the Chinese Foreign Ministry stated that as long as companies and individuals act according to the law, there is nothing to worry about. However, this has done little to ease the concerns of Japanese businesses operating in China. Some companies have already limited their employees’ travel to China, while others are considering shifting their operations elsewhere.
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Business and Academic Exchanges Affected
The detention of the Astellas employee has had a ripple effect on both economic and academic exchanges between Japan and China. Some Japanese companies have already reduced their investments in China, and fewer businesspeople are willing to travel there for work. This is happening at a time when China’s economy is struggling with a slowdown, making the loss of foreign investment even more significant.
The impact is also being felt in academic circles. Researchers who previously traveled between the two countries for studies and conferences are now hesitant to do so. One researcher specializing in Chinese studies stated that under the current circumstances, they would not feel safe visiting China. The fear of detention without clear reasons has made many experts think twice before engaging in cross-border collaborations.
Despite rising concerns, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi is expected to visit Japan soon. However, there are no signs that this visit will bring a resolution to the issue of detained Japanese citizens. Until a solution is found, the uncertainty surrounding business and academic exchanges between the two countries is likely to continue.
