The Japanese government has been seeking his release at an early date and trying to provide him with consular support via the Japanese Embassy in Beijing, Kyodo reported.

Another source told the news agency that China has not offered a sufficient explanation as to what led to the detention of the Japanese company official.

China has been stepping up its scrutiny of foreign organizations and individuals in the name of protecting national security, with a number of foreigners held after the introduction of a counterespionage law in 2014 and a national security law in 2015, reports Kyodo.