TOKYO, Japan: China has arrested two Japanese citizens suspected of illegally moving items that are not permitted to be imported or exported.

A Japanese official said the case may be linked to rare earth materials, which are important resources mostly controlled by China.

Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary, Minoru Kihara, said that Chinese customs officials informed Japanese consulates in Shenyang and Dalian about the arrests. One person was detained on May 18, and the second about a week later, both in connection with the same case.

Kihara said both individuals are in good health, but did not provide further details to protect their privacy and because the investigation is still ongoing.

In Beijing, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson confirmed that two Japanese citizens were detained for violating Chinese law but provided no further details. He added that Japan should remind its citizens and companies operating in China to comply with Chinese laws and regulations.

According to Kyodo News, the two detained people work for a large Japanese machinery company, and one works at its branch in China. They were allegedly trying to take materials related to rare earths, which may have been considered illegal.

This incident comes five months after China stopped exporting certain dual-use goods to Japan—items that can be used for both civilian and military purposes. China said this restriction does not apply to normal trade, but data shows that exports of rare earth magnets from China have decreased.

Relations between China and Japan have been tense for several months. The situation worsened after Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi suggested late last year that if China takes action against Taiwan, it could justify a military response from Japan. Earlier Japanese leaders had avoided taking a clear position on Taiwan.

In a separate case that also affected relations, a Japanese man who had been detained in China since March 2023 was sentenced last year to three and a half years in prison for spying.