China confirms detention of Japanese citizen

China’s foreign ministry confirmed on Monday the detainment of a Japanese citizen over suspected espionage.

Foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said authorities detained a Japanese citizen this month suspected of engaging in espionage activities.Mao said China has informed the Japanese embassy in China.A Japanese pharmaceutical company Astellas Pharma Inc. acknowledged that the man detained in Beijing is an employee of the firm, but declined to disclose further details, including his name, position and whether he is based in China.

The company said it was seeking information from the Japanese Foreign Ministry.Tokyo has demanded that China release a Japanese national who was detained in Beijing earlier this month, Japan’s top government spokesperson said Monday.The Japanese government has since demanded the early release of the Japanese national.Japan also requested that Chinese authorities allow the man access to Japanese consulate officials.