The first hearing of a trial for a Japanese national who was charged and detained in China on suspicion of espionage was held in Beijing, according to sources.

The Japanese male employee of Astellas Pharma was detained in March 2023 and indicted in August of this year. 

His first trial hearing was held before December 9.

However, trials related to national security are not disclosed in China, and the details are unknown. 

Tokyo will continue to call on Beijing to release the Japanese national, but his detention is expected to be prolonged.