Japanese man detained in China on suspicion of spying, Tokyo confirms
- The man, identified by local media as a university professor in his 40s, was detained in Beijing in September, Japan’s top government spokesman said
Chinese authorities have detained a Japanese man in Beijing, a government spokesman in Tokyo confirmed on Monday, following media reports that a university professor was being held on suspicion of spying.
He did not specify the charges against the man, but local media have identified him as a professor from Hokkaido University who was held on suspicion of spying.
The man, who has not been named, worked previously for the National Institute for Defence Studies in the defence ministry and the Japanese foreign ministry, according to local media reports.
“Within the framework of protecting Japanese expatriates, we are holding meetings between [the man and] consuls and communicating with his family members, but we decline to comment on further details given the nature of this case,” Suga said.
There has been no public comment on the case so far from Chinese officials.
