Is China a no-go zone for Japanese travellers? Espionage arrests raise concerns

Five out of the 17 Japanese nationals recently arrested on suspicion of spying or other crimes since 2015 are still in Chinese prisons

The sentencing hearing on Wednesday was not open to the press, but officials from the Japanese embassy in Beijing were permitted to attend, Jiji Press reported.

“It is extremely regrettable that a guilty ruling was issued,” Japanese ambassador to China Kenji Kanasugi told reporters after the hearing. “We will continue to call strongly for his early release while supporting him as much as we can.”