BEIJING, Aug 22 (Reuters) - Chinese prosecutors have

indicted a Japanese citizen on suspicion of espionage, China's

foreign ministry said on Thursday, without identifying the

person.

China lawfully investigates and deals with illegal and

criminal activities, Mao Ning, a spokesperson at the Chinese

ministry, said at a regular press conference when asked about

the indictment of a Japanese employee of Astellas Pharma Inc ( ALPMF )

.

The Japanese pharmaceutical company said on Wednesday that

one of its Japanese employees detained since March 2023 on

suspicion of spying had been indicted by Chinese authorities.