China frees four out of six Japanese citizens held since March
Tokyo government confirms release but two detainees continue to be held on suspicion of ‘illegal activities’
Four Japanese nationals detained in China in March for alleged “illegal activities” have safely returned home, officials said, though two others are still being held.
Tensions regularly mar Japan-China relations, with a maritime territorial dispute and lingering tensions over Tokyo’s history of aggression in the first half of the 20th century the major irritants.
China had already detained five other Japanese citizens since 2015, largely on suspicion of spying.
The four released were among six taken into custody in Shandong and Hainan provinces in March, according to Yoshihide Suga, Japan’s chief government spokesman.
“While we are making necessary contact with Chinese authorities, I would like to refrain from commenting on details as there are people who are still detained,” he told a press conference.
