Chinese military authorities have detained a Japanese man for alleged espionage. (Photo : Twitter)
The Chinese government has reportedly detained a Japanese man for alleged espionage, raising concerns about potential tensions that might arise between the two countries.
China's foreign ministry confirmed the detention of the man, who's identity was not disclosed but is said to be in his late 50s, after Japanese media reported that he has gone missing and did not return from his five-day trip to Beijing. Japanese government officials have earlier confirmed his detention, after being notified by the Chinese embassy.
According to records, the man, who hails from Ibaraki Prefecture, heads an organization that promotes friendly exchanges between the Japan and China. He was also received very well and considered a friendly figure prior to his detention, Reuters reported.
When asked whether the man is indeed being detained on suspicions of espionage, Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga stressed that the country does not engage in such activities. The Japanese government has yet to release additional details about the case.
Some analysts said that the detention could be intended to Keep Japan's criticisms of China in check. The former has been vocal in its opposition to the latter's actions in the South China Sea.
The latest incident brings the number of Japanese citizens in China detained for alleged spying to five. Earlier, the Chinese government has reportedly indicted two of the five for the charges.
Japanese authorities confirmed the first indictment in May of a 50-year-old native of Aichi Prefecture. The man has been in detention for a year after he was arrested near a military facility in Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province.
The second detainee indicted was a woman who was an executive of a Tokyo-based Japanese language school. She was in detention since June 2015, but was only formally arrested in November, the Japan Times reported.
China has reportedly been tightening control over foreign individuals and organization over concerns of undercover activities, with the government under Xi Jinping creating a new national security commission.
