A Chinese researcher arrested on suspicion of leaking research data on a cutting-edge technology to a Chinese company allegedly used his Japanese workplace email to contact the firm on several occasions, The Yomiuri Shimbun has learned.
The Public Security Bureau of the Metropolitan Police Department is investigating whether other data may have been leaked, too.
Quan Hengdao, a senior researcher at the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) in Tsukuba, Ibaraki Prefecture, participated in research into a fluorine compound synthesis technology. According to a statement issued by the MPD, Quan in April 2018 sent an email to the Chinese company containing research data and is suspected of leaking information tantamount to AIST's trade secrets.
The MPD arrested Quan on Thursday on suspicion of violating the Unfair Competition Prevention Law by disclosing trade secrets. The case was sent to the Tokyo District Prosecutors Office on Friday.
According to investigation sources, the Chinese company manufactures chemical products and has a Japanese office in Tsukuba. Quan allegedly exchanged messages with the Chinese company several times using his workplace email address at least since about one year before the leaking incident.
The Chinese firm handles fluorochemical products, and possibly used information provided by Quan for purposes including product development.
Quan, 59, has worked at AIST since April 2002, and at one time concurrently taught at the Beijing Institute of Technology. The Public Security Bureau is investigating how Quan deepened his links with the Chinese company, and whether he received payment for providing information.
Ties to Beijing
Quan may have strong connections to China's government, The Yomiuri Shimbun has learned.
The website of an organization for Chinese nationals residing overseas praised Quan as having "made a huge contribution to China." This was acknowledging Quan's reception of a state technological invention award at a January 2018 national technology conference that was attended by Chinese President Xi Jinping. The website carried a photo of Quan shaking hands with Xi.
According to the Beijing Institute of Technology's website, Quan graduated from Nanjing University of Science and Technology in 1984 and was then involved in research in China and Japan. In 2006, the Beijing institute employed Quan as a teacher.
This institute is one of the seven Chinese universities that reportedly have close connections to the development of weapons for the Chinese military. These seven universities form a core part of China's "military-civil fusion" strategy through which commercial technologies are harnessed to bolster China's armed forces.
In a statement issued Thursday, AIST said the arrest was "extremely regrettable" and that it would "cooperate fully" with the police investigation. AIST said the matter would be "dealt with strictly."
Vigilance urged
AIST is one of Japan's largest public research institutes and helps to shape the future of the nation's industry and society through the research and development of technologies. It brings together Japan's knowledge and assets. The leak of leading technologies nurtured at AIST to another country will significantly harm Japan's national interests.
An online search of Quan Hengdao's name turns up multiple results with information that hint at his strong ties with China. These results, depending on how they are looked at, could suggest information might be leaked through these connections. AIST, as a national research institute, must carefully examine whether its measures to prevent information leaks were sufficient and whether it was complacent about the possible risks.
At a time when U.S.-China economic competition is intensifying, the Japanese government is fortifying its management of technology information from the perspective of ensuring economic security. The public and private sectors -- not just AIST -- need to buckle down and work together to develop effective measures to prevent further leaks.
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