Tokyo demands China free Japan national detained in Beijing

By MARI YAMAGUCHI
Associated Press

TOKYO (AP) — Tokyo is demanding that China release a Japanese national detained in Beijing earlier this month on suspicion of spying. Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno said Monday that Chinese authorities told Japan that a man in his 50s was taken into custody in Beijing earlier in March. The Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson says the man is suspected of engaging in espionage. No details were offered but the spokesperson said that similar cases involving Japanese citizens have occurred repeatedly and urged the Japanese government to “strengthen education among its citizens and send them reminders.” A Japanese pharmaceutical company acknowledged that the man detained is its employee, but declined to disclose further details. Last year, China briefly questioned a Japanese diplomat.