China has detained two Japanese nationals over alleged attempts to take rare earth-related products out of the country.

Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara said on Wednesday that one of the two was detained by Chinese authorities on May 18 and the other a week later, accused of violating Chinese laws governing the import and export of restricted goods. Tokyo confirmed the detentions, without giving further details, citing privacy.

One of the detainees is an employee of a Japanese electric machinery maker’s China subsidiary. The individual was reportedly taken into custody in the northeastern city of Dalian last month.

Kihara said the government would communicate with the individuals and parties involved and “respond appropriately from the standpoint of protecting nationals overseas”.

Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun confirmed the detention, saying two Japanese nationals had been detained by Chinese authorities in accordance with Chinese law and China had notified the Japanese side of the relevant case details.

“We would like to emphasise that the Japanese side should educate and remind Japanese citizens and companies in China to abide by Chinese laws and regulations,” he said.

According to Kyodo, Chinese customs officials viewed the case as concerning, although the detainee was not suspected of espionage.