(Reported on the 25th in Japan) According to Japanese media, a man in his 50s working for Astellas Pharma Inc. was sentenced to 12 years in prison by a Shanghai court on the charge of espionage on the 13th, and he did not file an appeal, confirming the prison term.
Kyodo News reported on the 24th, quoting sources from the Japanese Consulate General in Shanghai, and stated that the consulate has confirmed with the lawyer.
According to Article 230 of China's 'Criminal Procedure Law', the time limit for appeals and protests against judgments is 10 days.
The Wall Street Journal previously reported that Hiroshi Nishiyama, a senior executive of Astellas Pharma, and an important member of the Japanese business community in China, had completed his mission in China and was preparing to return home in late March 2023. However, he was unable to return home and disappeared on his last day in China. Days later, China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that Hiroshi Nishiyama was accused of engaging in espionage activities and was detained.
According to information from the Japanese Chamber of Commerce in China and the website of the Japanese Embassy in China, Hiroshi Nishiyama previously served as a senior advisor at Astellas and held a significant position in the Japanese Chamber of Commerce in China for many years. He appeared as the 'Vice President of the Japanese Chamber of Commerce in China' during an official meeting itinerary in 2021.
The arrest of Hiroshi Nishiyama on espionage charges in China has triggered panic among Japanese expatriates and high concern from the Japanese government. Kenji Kanasugi, the Japanese Ambassador to China, visited him in prison five times.
Hiroshi Nishiyama was detained in Shanghai in December 2021 and was formally arrested in June 2022. He was charged with 'endangering national security' in August 2023, and his first trial was held in November last year. On the 13th of this month, he was found guilty at the Shanghai No.1 Intermediate People's Court.
Because it involves national security, the Chinese court has not disclosed the indictment and details of the judgment. Japanese embassy personnel were present to hear the verdict but refused to disclose details citing privacy reasons.
After the sentence was confirmed, the Japanese Consulate General stated, 'From the perspective of protecting expatriates, we will continue to provide support as much as possible in the future.'
Kyodo News reported on the 24th, quoting sources from the Japanese Consulate General in Shanghai, and stated that the consulate has confirmed with the lawyer.
According to Article 230 of China's 'Criminal Procedure Law', the time limit for appeals and protests against judgments is 10 days.
The Wall Street Journal previously reported that Hiroshi Nishiyama, a senior executive of Astellas Pharma, and an important member of the Japanese business community in China, had completed his mission in China and was preparing to return home in late March 2023. However, he was unable to return home and disappeared on his last day in China. Days later, China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that Hiroshi Nishiyama was accused of engaging in espionage activities and was detained.
According to information from the Japanese Chamber of Commerce in China and the website of the Japanese Embassy in China, Hiroshi Nishiyama previously served as a senior advisor at Astellas and held a significant position in the Japanese Chamber of Commerce in China for many years. He appeared as the 'Vice President of the Japanese Chamber of Commerce in China' during an official meeting itinerary in 2021.
The arrest of Hiroshi Nishiyama on espionage charges in China has triggered panic among Japanese expatriates and high concern from the Japanese government. Kenji Kanasugi, the Japanese Ambassador to China, visited him in prison five times.
Hiroshi Nishiyama was detained in Shanghai in December 2021 and was formally arrested in June 2022. He was charged with 'endangering national security' in August 2023, and his first trial was held in November last year. On the 13th of this month, he was found guilty at the Shanghai No.1 Intermediate People's Court.
Because it involves national security, the Chinese court has not disclosed the indictment and details of the judgment. Japanese embassy personnel were present to hear the verdict but refused to disclose details citing privacy reasons.
After the sentence was confirmed, the Japanese Consulate General stated, 'From the perspective of protecting expatriates, we will continue to provide support as much as possible in the future.'