Beijing Court to Rule on Japanese Employee Espionage Case

A Beijing district court is scheduled to deliver a verdict on Wednesday concerning a Japanese employee of Astellas Pharma, who faces espionage charges in China. This information comes from sources familiar with the relationship between Japan and China.

The Japanese Embassy in Beijing was notified earlier this week by the court about the sentencing hearing date. Preparations are underway for an embassy official to be present at the proceedings.

The employee, working for the prominent Japanese pharmaceutical company, was taken into custody by Chinese authorities in March 2023. This occurred shortly before he was due to return to Japan after completing his expatriate assignment in China.

Although the Japanese national was formally indicted in August of the previous year, the Chinese government has not revealed any specifics regarding the charges against him.

The initial court hearing for his trial took place last November. Due to the nature of the case, which involves national security, the trial was conducted behind closed doors. Consequently, details of the proceedings remain undisclosed.

The Japanese government has consistently requested the immediate release of the individual through various diplomatic channels, including bilateral summits.