China Detains Two Japanese Nationals on Smuggling Charges
June 24, 2026 | 05:10 pmTEMPO. CO, Jakarta-Chinahas detained two Japanese nationals on suspicion of smuggling banned goods, Tokyo said on Wednesday. Japanese media reported that one case may involve. . .
June 24, 2026 | 05:10 pmTEMPO. CO, Jakarta-Chinahas detained two Japanese nationals on suspicion of smuggling banned goods, Tokyo said on Wednesday. Japanese media reported that one case may involve rare-earth-related exports, astrategically important sector tightly controlled by Beijing. What do we know about the charges?Japansaid Chinese authorities informed it that one citizen was detained in the northeastern port city of Dalian on May 18 on suspicion of violating a law covering the smuggling of goods banned from trade. A second Japanese national was detained on the same allegation on May 25, Japan's top government spokesperson, Minoru Kihara, told reporters. "The [Japanese government] will continue taking appropriate steps to protect Japanese citizens," Kihara said. China's Foreign Ministry confirmed the detentions, saying the two Japanese citizens had violated Chinese law, but provided no further details. "We would like to stress that Japan should educate and remind its citizens and businesses in China to abide by Chinese laws and regulations," Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said. Japanese media reported that one of the cases involved allegations of attempts to export products containing rare earth materials, which are subject to Chinese restrictions. Kihara did not identify the goods involved. "These cases remain under investigation," a spokesperson from Japan's consular offices in China told theAFPnews agency. He added that the two individuals appeared to be in good health and that the government would "take appropriate measures from the standpoint of their protection. "Why are there tensions over rare earths?China dominates global production and processing ofrare earths, metals which are used in products ranging from electric vehicles to military equipment. Beijing has tightened controls on the sector in recent years and increasingly views it as a strategic asset. Relations between Japan and China have deteriorated since comments by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi last year suggesting Tokyo could intervene militarily if China attempted to seize Taiwan. Since then, China has restricted exports of some key minerals and dual-use goods to Japan, while also scaling back a range of trade and cultural exchanges. Read:Japan Shrugs Off China's 'New Militarism' LabelClick hereto get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google NewsRecommendedIndonesia's US$1 Billion Panda Bonds Plan: What to Know5 hari laluIndonesia's US$1 Billion Panda Bonds Plan: What to KnowIndonesia is preparing a US$1 billion Panda Bonds issuance to diversify funding sources. How Purbaya Secured Rp301. 8 Trillion in AIIB Funds6 hari laluHow Purbaya Secured Rp301. 8 Trillion in AIIB FundsIndonesian Finance Minister Purbaya kicked off his investment roadshow to China on June 16, 2026. Indonesia's Main Airport Opens New Flight Routes to China7 hari laluIndonesia's Main Airport Opens New Flight Routes to ChinaThe presence of a Chinese airline, Spring Airlines, at Soekarno-Hatta Airport will serve the Jakarta to Guangzhou and Shenzhen routes. Indonesia's Purbaya to Woo Chinese Investors on Panda Bond7 hari laluIndonesia's Purbaya to Woo Chinese Investors on Panda BondPurbaya Yudhi Sadewa is set to embark on a roadshow in China to promote yuan-denominated debt instruments, or Panda Bond. Indonesia's First Giant Panda Cub Debuts at Taman Safari14 hari laluIndonesia's First Giant Panda Cub Debuts at Taman SafariIndonesia's first born baby giant panda, Satrio Wiratama, alias Li Ao, made his public debut at Taman Safari Indonesia in Bogor on Tuesday. China, North Korea Boast Better Ties After Xi-Kim Talks14 hari laluChina, North Korea Boast Better Ties After Xi-Kim TalksChina's Xi Jinping and North Korea's Kim Jong Un promised an array of cooperative measures, while avoiding the issue of Pyongyang's nuclear program. Top Countries That Produce the Most Steel: China, India, and More15 hari laluTop Countries That Produce the Most Steel: China, India, and MoreAs the top country producing the most steel, China accounted for a staggering 52% of global production combined. See how other nations compare here. China's Xi Begins Rare North Korea Visit16 hari laluChina's Xi Begins Rare North Korea VisitXi Jinping arrived in North Korea's capital on Monday, marking his first overseas trip this year after hosting summits with U. S. and Russian leaders. China's Xi Jinping to Meet North Korea's Kim Jong Un in Rare Visit to Pyongyang16 hari laluChina's Xi Jinping to Meet North Korea's Kim Jong Un in Rare Visit to PyongyangPresident of China, Xi Jinping, is scheduled to meet with North Korean leader, Kim Jong Un, during a visit to Pyongyang on Monday, June 8, 2026Taiwan Deploys Vessels in Response to Chinese Operation16 hari laluTaiwan Deploys Vessels in Response to Chinese OperationTaiwan's coast guard confronts Chinese vessels near the island after Beijing launched what it called a "law enforcement operation. "