Eiji Suzuki, former president of the Japan-China Youth Exchange Association, who was detained for six years on espionage charges in China and returned to Japan in October 2022, points out that in China, where the Anti-Spying Law was revised in July 2023, everyone is at risk of being caught.
Eiji Suzuki, who was detained for six years from the time he was taken into custody to the time he was released. He says that during the six years from his detention to his release, the most difficult part was the surveillance of his residence, which lasted about seven months from the time of his detention until his arrest. He recalls that even when he went to the bathroom, he was watched. Surveillance and interrogation. In the midst of the endless surveillance and interrogation, there was one thing that he longed for.
Mr. Suzuki:
There was one time when I asked to see the sun and I saw the sun. I wanted to get closer to it, but that was not allowed. When I saw the sun, the sun was so warm. I cried; just for 15 minutes. After that I didn’t claim it again.”
Why was he arrested?
Mr. Suzuki has been active in promoting friendship between Japan and China. Why was he arrested for espionage?
Mr. Suzuki:
To be more specific, the Public Security Intelligence Agency in Japan is a so-called spy agency authorized by China. Therefore, I am a spy sent by the Public Security Intelligence Agency.”
Mr. Suzuki was suspected of having come to China as a spy. The reason for the indictment was that he had a conversation with a Chinese diplomat about North Korea.
I don’t know when I will be detained.
Mr. Suzuki is worried about something. That is the amendment of the Anti-Spying Law.
China’s Ministry of State Security has posted a video on its official social networking account. The video contains the message, “You don’t have to look for me. I am here all the time,” is the message on it.
The revision of the Espionage Act expands the definition of espionage, which has been pointed out as vague, and there is concern that the Chinese government will further strengthen its crackdown.
Mr. Suzuki:
There is the danger of not knowing when you will be detained. You can be pulled over at any time. It says that they can search you physically, detain you, confiscate your luggage, and even restrict you from flying in and out of the country. The scope is wider and the authority is stronger. But the reason (for arrest) is not clear.”
Five Japanese nationals are still detained.
Mr. Suzuki:
The new anti-spying law is really scary. It is difficult to be careful. There is no countermeasure. So, as I keep saying, it is important what you do when you are caught.
There are currently five Japanese nationals detained in China who have not been released, including a male employee of Astellas Pharma Inc. How can we encourage their release? The government is required to have diplomatic skills.
