Business magnate sentenced to 3.5 years in Chinese prison for espionage allegations
**Detained Japanese Nationals in China: Astellas Pharma Executive Convicted of Espionage**
Five Japanese nationals continue to be detained or serving prison terms in China, according to a report by Japan's public broadcaster NHK. The latest development involves a Tokyo-based executive from the pharmaceutical company Astellas Pharma, who was sentenced by a Beijing court to three-and-a-half years in prison for espionage.
The convicted Astellas Pharma employee, a man in his 60s, was initially detained in March 2023 and formally arrested in October of the same year. He had reportedly worked in China for about two decades and was previously a senior executive at a major Japanese business lobby in the country. According to Kyodo News, he was planning to return to Japan before his sudden detention.
The Beijing No. 2 Intermediate People’s Court handed down the sentence on July 16, 2025, convicting him of “espionage activities.” The trial was closed to the media, and the specific nature of the alleged espionage has not been made public.
The Japanese government has repeatedly called for the release of all detained nationals and expressed deep concern over the lack of transparency in China’s judicial process. Ambassador Kenji Kanasugi described the verdict as “extremely regrettable,” and Tokyo’s embassy in Beijing has urged China to ensure the detainees’ legitimate rights, humane treatment, and greater judicial transparency.
Since China enacted its anti-espionage law in 2014, a total of 17 Japanese nationals have been detained, with five currently remaining in custody or serving sentences. The cases have strained Japan-China relations, already under pressure from territorial disputes, historical issues, and other bilateral tensions. The lack of public details about the charges and trials has raised concerns among Japanese businesses and expatriates in China about the risks of operating in the country.
Below is a summary table of the current status of the detained individuals:
| Individual | Status | Charge | Sentence | Detention Date | Notes | |-------------------------|---------------------------------|------------------|--------------------|---------------------|-------------------------| | Astellas Pharma exec | Serving sentence | Espionage | 3.5 years | March 2023 (arrest Oct 2023) | Senior business leader, planned to return to Japan | | 4 other Japanese | In custody or serving sentence | Not specified | Not specified | Not specified | Identities and details undisclosed |
The situation remains a significant diplomatic issue between Japan and China, with ongoing calls for greater transparency and the protection of detainees’ rights. Japan's embassy in Beijing issued a statement expressing disappointment with the verdict and renewing calls for the release of detained Japanese nationals. The conviction of the Astellas executive is likely to complicate ongoing diplomatic efforts to improve bilateral ties between Tokyo and Beijing.
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