Kyodo news agency identified the man being held as an employee of drugmaker Astellas Pharma, though the foreign ministry has not confirmed that and an Astellas spokesman said the company was still gathering information via the ministry. Japanese media have reported that the individual detained has worked in China for 20 years, previously serving as a senior official of the Japanese Chamber Commerce and Industry in China. When asked about the arrest, China's foreign ministry spokesperson said such cases are handled according to law, and individual's rights and interests are protected. Japan recently suffered a backlash from China over the release of treated radioactive water from the Fukushima nuclear plant into the ocean. Imports from China totalled $198 billion last year, while exports to China were $145 billion, according to IMF trade data.

Source: The Guardian October 20, 2023 09:35 UTC