By Berk Kutay Gokmen
ISTANBUL (AA) - Japan on Wednesday called “regrettable” an alleged espionage involving a former employee of Russia's trade representation in Japan, the Jiji Press news agency reported.
The employee was referred to Japanese prosecutors on Tuesday on suspicion of illegally acquiring trade secrets from a former employee of a Japanese machine tool manufacturer, in violation of the unfair competition prevention law, according to the news agency.
Citing a government source, it said the Foreign Ministry also conveyed Japan’s stance on the issue to the Russian side on Tuesday.
"To protect national interests and the safety and security of our citizens, we must deal strictly with various activities by foreign agencies," Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara told a news conference.
According to NHK, the former employee, a Russian citizen in his 30s, returned to Russia in March of last year after verbally obtaining information about new products on two occasions.