Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian Photo: VCG

In response to a media inquiry on that on Tuesday, a court in Shanghai sentenced a Japanese man to 12 years in prison for espionage and the Japanese government has requested that China ensure "transparency in judicial procedures," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said on Wednesday that China is a country governed by the rule of law. "The judicial authorities handled the case strictly in accordance with legal procedures and ensured the protection of all the lawful rights of the individual involved during the process." 

The Japanese side should earnestly respect China's judicial sovereignty and educate and guide its citizens in China to abide by Chinese laws and regulations and refrain from engaging in illegal or criminal activities, said Lin. 

According to NHK, Japan's consulate general in Shanghai said a Chinese court sentenced a Japanese man to 12 years in prison for espionage on Tuesday. The man in his 50s was taken into custody in Shanghai in December 2021. Following arrest and indictment, his trial began in October 2023, according to a report from NHK. 

Global Times