The Japanese government announced today that it is “closely monitoring” the case Chinese teacher his university Tokyowho, according to Japanese media, disappeared last year during his trip to China.

“We are closely monitoring the case” because “it may involve the professor’s human rights,” Japanese government spokesman Yoshimasa Hayashi said today, implying that the professor is held possibly in China against his will.

Professor Fan Yudao, an expert in International Law and Political Science at the Asia University of Japan in Tokyo, disappeared after entering China in February 2023 as part of a short trip, according to Japanese media.

Shortly before he disappeared, the 61-year-old professor had warned those around him that Chinese authorities were seeking to interrogate him, according to diplomatic sources cited by Japan’s Kyodo news agency who believe he is being held.

A statement issued today by Asia University of Japan said Fan Yudao was absent and expressed “the sincere hope” that he would return and resume his courses, which have been assigned to a temporary replacement.

Similar case disappearance of a Chinese professor at a Japanese university was revealed in March.

The case is reminiscent of the case of Hu Xiyun, the Chinese teacher who taught Chinese Literature and Linguistics at a university in Kobe and is missing after a trip to his homeland Last summer.

Hu Siyun’s family, who have remained in Japan, notified Kobe Gakuin University last month of his disappearance and expressed concern for his safety.

Two more Chinese professors who worked in Japanese universities were arrested in China in 2013 and 2019 on charges of espionage.

Beijing has become increasingly suspicious of Chinese citizens living abroad amid a negative juncture in China’s relations with Japan and the West.