Astellas employee to be released from China prison in December

A Japanese Astellas Pharma employee sentenced to three and a half years in prison for espionage in China is expected to be released on Dec. 14 and return to Japan. | REUTERS

Jiji

Nov 8, 2026

Beijing – A Japanese employee of Astellas Pharma, who was sentenced to three years and six months in prison for espionage in China, is expected to be released in mid-December and return to Japan, sources said Saturday.

According to sources, final arrangements are being made to release the employee of the Japanese pharmaceutical company in his 60s on Dec. 14.

The employee was suddenly detained by Chinese authorities in March 2023, when he was about to leave China after the end of his Beijing assignment. He was indicted in August 2024.

In a time of both misinformation and too much information,
quality journalism is more crucial than ever.
By subscribing, you can help us get the story right.

SUBSCRIBE NOW