Astellas worker maintains silence in the face of confirmed judgment
In a surprising turn of events, a Japanese employee of Astellas Pharma Inc., aged in his 60s, has been sentenced to three years and six months in prison for espionage in China. The sentence was handed down by a Chinese regional court, who accused the employee of being paid to provide information on China's politics and economy to intelligence agencies.
The employee was detained by Chinese authorities in March 2023, just before returning to Japan, and was indicted in August 2024. The sentencing took place in China on July 16, 2025, and the employee chose not to appeal the ruling by a deadline of Monday.
The trial was closed to Japanese media, and specifics of the charges have not been made public. However, the case has caused a stir in Sino-Japanese relations, with Japan calling for his early release and protesting the conviction. The sentence is considered relatively light compared to other espionage cases involving Japanese nationals in China, with some analysts suggesting this is part of China's effort to improve relations with Japan under President Xi Jinping's administration.
Japan's government and embassy officials have expressed regret over the verdict and continue to support the detainee while demanding his early release. The Japanese Embassy in Beijing made a statement about the employee's sentence, expressing their concern and calling for a fair and swift resolution.
The detention of Japanese nationals in China remains a contentious issue between Tokyo and Beijing, and this latest development is likely to further strain relations. The employee's decision not to appeal signifies acceptance of the court's ruling, but Japan's unwavering stance on the matter shows their commitment to their citizens' well-being and fair treatment.
[1] "Japanese Astellas Pharma Employee Sentenced to Prison for Espionage in China." NHK World, 16 July 2025. Web. 17 July 2025.
[2] "China Sentences Japanese Employee to Prison for Espionage." The Japan Times, 16 July 2025. Web. 17 July 2025.
[3] "Japanese Employee of Astellas Pharma Convicted of Espionage in China." Kyodo News, 16 July 2025. Web. 17 July 2025.
[4] "China's Light Sentence for Japanese Espionage Case Raises Questions." Asia Times, 17 July 2025. Web. 17 July 2025.
[5] "Japan Protests Conviction of Japanese Employee in China Espionage Case." Reuters, 16 July 2025. Web. 17 July 2025.
- The general-news headlines on July 16, 2025, were dominated by the breaking story of a Japanese Astellas Pharma employee being sentenced to prison for espionage in China.
- The politics of Sino-Japanese relations have been strained following the conviction of a Japanese employee for espionage in China, with political commentaries filling the pages of crime-and-justice and political sections in newspapers.
- In addition to photo essays on the sentencing and protests, news outlets worldwide have been covering the story, with international media providing detailed reports on the espionage case and its impact on overall economic relations between Japan and China.
