In Beijing, Japan's top diplomat urges China to release one of its nationals

Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi, April 2, 2023. © Kyodo News via AP

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For the first time in more than three years, the Japanese and Chinese ministers met on Sunday, April 2 in China. Among the topics discussed was the detention of a Japanese businessman arrested a week ago.

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With our correspondent in Beijing, Stéphane Lagarde

In addition to his Chinese counterpart, Yoshimasa Hayashi also met with China's new Premier Li Qiang and the director of the Communist Party of China's (CPC) Central Foreign Affairs Office, Wang Yi, on Sunday in Beijing. Three interviews and each time, the head of Japanese diplomacy claims to have "protested against the recent detention" of an employee of the Japanese pharmaceutical company Astellas Pharma detained for unknown reasons in China, and called for his "immediate release".

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This incident comes as the Chinese government seeks to attract Japanese investment to China, and we see a contradiction in this," Yukiko Okano, deputy spokeswoman for the Japanese Foreign Ministry, told reporters in the Chinese capital on Sunday evening. We have not had an explanation from the authorities and we have not been able to see our national."

Five Japanese detained

Beyond this request for release, Japanese diplomacy also calls for transparency on the legal process leading to these arrests. Five Japanese are currently detained in China, two of whom have already been tried and convicted, Tokyo said. Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang said the case would be handled "in accordance with the law."

Qin Gang also criticized the restrictions announced by Tokyo two days ago on the export of semiconductors. This will accelerate China's autonomy, the top Chinese diplomat suggested, blaming Japan for being the "lackey" of the United States.

► Read also: Interview - Japan: "It is necessary to be part of a balance of power with China"

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  • China
  • Japan
  • Diplomacy