Tokyo demands the release of a Japanese citizen detained under counterespionage law in China

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1. Excerpt from the linked content:^1

   >Japan has urged China to release one of its citizens detained in Beijing as soon as possible and allow consular officials to meet with him, the top government spokesman said Monday.

   >Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno told a news conference that the Japanese government is in contact with people related to the man, who is in his 50s.

   >Japanese drug maker Astellas Pharma Inc. has confirmed he is one of its employees.

   >Chinese authorities notified the Japanese Embassy in Beijing this month that they detained the man in the capital for what they said were violations of Chinese law, Matsuno said.

   >In Beijing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said Monday the Japanese man was detained on suspicion of engaging in spying activities in violation of China’s counterespionage law.

   >She also said Japan should send a stronger signal to Japanese citizens about the consequences of such behavior and better “educate” them on the issue, as similar incidents have occurred in recent years.

   ^1 Kyodo, 27 Mar. 2023, https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2023/03/43bc3ac94d9d-japan-demands-release-of-national-detained-in-china-top-spokesman.html