LOC11:59
08:59 GMT
TOKYO, July 28 (KUNA) -- China has detained a Japanese man, Japan's top government spokesman revealed Thursday, but denied Tokyo's involvement in the spying allegations.
"Chinese authorities have informed us that they detained the man in Beijing earlier this month," Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga told a press conference.
"The Japanese government is assisting the man through the embassy in Beijing, and working to confirm the circumstances of his detention," said Suga.
He denied the government's involvement in spying, referring to speculation that the man may have been detained on suspicion of espionage.
"Our country has never been engaged in such activity on any country." China already arrested four Japanese citizens on suspicion of involvement in spying last year.
Suga refused to give details of the detention, only saying, "I would like to refrain from commenting further due to the nature of the incidents."
The man in his late 50s who heads an organization to promote exchanges between Japan and China was due to stay in Beijing between July 11 and 15, but did not return to Japan and has not been answering his cellphone, Kyodo News Agency reported, citing sources close to the Japanese government.
China has been stepping up its watch over foreign organizations and individuals under the leadership of President Xi Jinping. (end)
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