China: Japanese man held for endangering state security

By Mahmut Atanur

BEIJING (AA) – Days after Japanese media reported that a Japanese man had been detained in China on suspicions of espionage, Beijing has confirmed that a man has been questioned.

China Daily reported the Foreign Ministry as saying Sunday that the man "has been investigated on suspicion of endangering China's state security".

It reported that the probe was conducted by "relevant departments" and Japan's embassy in China had been notified.

The man's name was not revealed, however reports have claimed he was scheduled to visit the country July 11-15 with the Japan-China Youth Association.

On Thursday, Japanese media reported that a suspect -- more than 50 years old -- had been detained for suspected espionage.