Tokyo, 26 March, /AJMEDIA/
A Japanese man detained in Beijing since earlier this month for allegedly violating Chinese law is an employee of Astellas Pharma Inc., a spokesperson for the Japanese drugmaker confirmed Sunday.
The Japanese government has been seeking the release of the man, in his 50s, as soon as possible and is trying to provide him with consular support via the Japanese Embassy in Beijing, a source familiar with Japan-China relations said Saturday.
Another source also said Saturday that China has yet to offer a sufficient explanation for what led to the detention of the Japanese company official.
China has been stepping up its scrutiny of foreign organizations and individuals in the name of protecting national security, with a number of foreigners held after introducing a counterespionage law in 2014 and a national security law in 2015.
