Japanese Astellas employee jailed in China to be freed in December

· Politics · Japan · China

A Japanese employee of drugmaker Astellas who has been jailed in China on espionage charges will be released in December, Japanese media reported. The man was sentenced to three years and six months. Beijing had accused the Japanese citizen of providing China-related information to an intelligence agency but had not given further details. The release would close a case that has been a irritant in Japan-China relations, which have hit one of their lowest ebbs since 1972 over the past year. It also comes as Tokyo works to stabilize ties ahead of a leaders' summit in China.

Why it matters：The case illustrates the risks foreign businesspeople face in China and offers a small de-escalation signal in a badly strained bilateral relationship.

Key points

  • The Astellas employee was sentenced to three years and six months.
  • Beijing accused him of providing China-related information to an intelligence agency.
  • He is expected to be freed in December.

Sources (original reporting)

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