China executes Japanese man for drug smuggling

Nikkei: "China carried out the death penalty imposed on convicted Japanese drug smuggler Mitsunobu Akano on Tuesday, the official Xinhua News agency reported." According to NHK he was carrying 2.5 kg of "stimulants".

It's "China's first execution of a Japanese national since the two nations normalized diplomatic relations 38 years ago" according to UPI. 

Mitsunobu Akano is at least the second foreigner China has executed so far this year.  Earlier, a UK citizen was put to death.

Four more Japanese are slated to be executed in China. Prior to the execution, Yomiuri Shimbun warned of a backlash among the Japanese public.

On the other hand, the Japan Times notes,

China announced last week it had detained a man for allegedly poisoning frozen dumplings that sickened 10 people in Japan between late 2007 and early 2008.

According to sources close to both sides, Beijing conveyed its decision to Tokyo three days after informing the Japanese government that a suspect had been apprehended in the dumpling-poisoning case. "The timing makes it difficult for Japan to object," one of the sources said Tuesday.

You have to wonder whether the "suspect" or anyone accused of anything in China will receive a fair trial.