By Seita Higa, Beijing

The first hearing in the trial of a Japanese man in his 50s who has been in the custody of the Chinese authority in Changsha (Hunan Province) since July 2019 was held at a district court in Changsha in February, a source in the Japanese government disclosed to the Yomiuri Shimbun.

According to the source, the man was arrested by the Chinese national security authority whose jurisdiction includes anti-espionage operations. The Chinese prosecutors brought the charge against him in August. Details of the charge as well as whether the man has pleaded guilty have not been disclosed.

The Japanese Foreign Ministry says the man has no serious medical issues. Japanese consular officers in China have been visiting and providing him with the necessary support.

A total of ten Japanese nationals have been indicted in China since 2015 on charges of involvement in espionage. The other nine have already been sentenced.