TOKYO – Beijing said it has detained and questioned a Japanese national working on cultural exchange projects for allegedly “endangering China’s national security”, Japanese newspapers reported Saturday.

The man, who has been missing since mid-July, was identified by the Nikkei business daily as the Japanese head of an organisation working to improve ties between the two rivals.

China said Friday the man was under investigation on suspicion of endangering the country’s national security, Kyodo news agency reported, adding that the allegation was often applied in cases of suspected espionage.

Tokyo said it had been informed by Beijing about a detained Japanese man, but the government’s top spokesman Yoshihide Suga denied Japan was involved in spying “against any nation”.

The suspect, in his late 50s, was due to spend four days in Beijing from July 11 for work, but did not return to Japan and has not been answering his mobile phone, Kyodo said, quoting Japanese government and other sources.

There was no immediate response from the Chinese foreign ministry.

Earlier this year Japan denied that it carries out espionage activities abroad as it announced that Chinese authorities had arrested four Japanese citizens on suspicion of spying.

The two countries have been taking steps for more than a year to improve relations that remain plagued by tensions over the legacy of World War II as well as a maritime dispute.

Ties, however, remain shaky and Chinese allegations of spying by Japanese nationals have become a new irritant.

And in April the United States said it was “deeply concerned” after China passed a controversial new law giving police wide-ranging powers over overseas charities.

The law, which comes into force in January, also bans overseas NGOs from recruiting members or raising funds in China and prompted an immediate outcry from charities.

Hundreds of people plundered and burned down several Buddhist temples or vihara in Tanjung Balai, North Sumatra, on Friday evening. No fatalities or injuries occurred in the anarchic acts, which took place until early Saturday.

It is estimated that the attacks have caused billions of rupiah in losses.

North Sumatra Police spokesperson Sr. Comr. Rina Sari Ginting said the riots began when a 41-year-old of Chinese descent, only identified as Meliana, reprimanded an administrator of the Al Maksum Mosque to lower its microphone volume.

Rina further said Meliana had previously conveyed similar warnings to the administrator, hence, the mosque’s congregation members visited her house following her complaint for the umpteenth time on Friday evening.

The meeting between Al Maksum congregation members and Meliana heated up, forcing Tanjung Balai Police officers to safeguard Meliana and her husband at the police station. Angry mobs continued to flock to Meliana’s house, however. Some had even attempted to burn down the house but it was prevented by people living in the neighbourhood.

People who had been seized by emotion later moved to the Juanda Vihara, which is located approximately 500 meters from Meliana’s house. “The mob attempted to set ablaze the vihara but the police managed to prevent them. They could only pelt the house of worship with projectiles, damaging it. This was the start of the anarchic acts,” Rina told The Jakarta Post on Saturday.

The police officer said that in the riot, the angry mob damaged and burned down several vihara and Chinese temples or pagoda. They comprised one vihara and three pagodas on Jl. Pantai Amor, one vihara on Jl. Imam Bonjol and one pagoda on Jl. Ade Irma.

Onsite at the vihara and pagodas, Rina added that the mob destroyed prayer equipment, Buddha statues, tables, chairs, lamps, and several cars and motorbikes.

Seven people were taken into custody for allegedly plundering the houses of worship when the attacks occurred. Meanwhile, Rina said, Meliana and her family were still in protection at the Tanjung Balai Police station. The situation in Tanjung Balai reportedly has calmed down.