China hands 3-1/2-year prison sentence to Astellas' Japanese employee, Nikkei says (updated)

Astellas Pharma

16/07/2025 09:00

Adds Chinese foreign ministry's comment in paragraphs 3-4

TOKYO, July 16 (Reuters) - A Beijing court on Wednesday sentenced a Japanese employee of Astellas Pharma 4503.T to 3-1/2 years in prison, the Nikkei newspaper reported, citing the Japanese ambassador to China.

The man had been detained since March 2023 on suspicion of spying and had been indicted about a year ago.

Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said on Wednesday that the country's judicial authorities handle cases in accordance with the law, when asked a question about a Beijing court sentencing an employee of a Japanese pharmaceutical company to prison for espionage. The question did not name the company.

China has always supported China-Japan economic and trade cooperation, and provides a good environment for the lawful operations of Japanese enterprises and personnel in China, Lin told a regular press briefing.

 (Reporting by Kiyoshi Takenaka; Additional reporting by Joe Cash in Beijing; Editing by Chang-Ran Kim and Christian Schmollinger)

 ((ran.kim@thomsonreuters.com; +81-3-4520-1228))