Japan Reports China Detains Two Nationals Over Suspected Rare Earths Smuggling

TOKYO — China has detained two Japanese nationals on suspicion of smuggling goods barred from import or export, a Japanese official said on Wednesday, noting the case appears tied to rare earths, strategic materials dominated by Beijing.

Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary, Minoru Kihara, told reporters in Tokyo that the consular offices in Shenyang and Dalian had been informed by Chinese customs that the two Japanese citizens were detained—one on May 18 and the other a week later—in what authorities describe as the same alleged case.

Kihara said the detainees are in good health, but declined to provide further details, citing privacy concerns and the ongoing investigation.

In Beijing, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun confirmed that two Japanese citizens had been detained for breaking Chinese law, though he offered no specifics about the case.

Guo said, “We urge Japan to ensure its citizens and companies operating in China understand and comply with local laws and regulations,” he added during a regular briefing.

Kyodo News reported that the two individuals are employees of a major Japanese machinery manufacturer, with one stationed at the company’s Chinese subsidiary. Kyodo said their suspected attempt to remove rare‑earth‑related materials could be deemed illegal.

The detentions follow a Chinese ban, imposed five months earlier, on exports to Japan of dual‑use items that could have military uses. While Beijing insists the restrictions do not target ordinary commercial products, trade figures indicate a drop in shipments of rare‑earth magnets from China since the measure took effect.

Relations between the two Asian powers have been tense for several months.

Bilateral ties worsened after Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi suggested late last year that Chinese moves toward Taiwan—a self‑governed island Beijing claims—could warrant a Japanese military response. Earlier Japanese administrations had deliberately kept their stance on Taiwan ambiguous.

Another source of friction is the case of a Japanese national detained since March 2023, who was sentenced last year to three and a half years in prison on espionage charges.

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Associated Press writer Ken Moritsugu in Beijing contributed to this report.

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