A Japan-based Chinese scholar who disappeared in July while in Shanghai told his brother via Chinese authorities last week that he was under investigation but would return to Japan soon, Japan-China relations sources said.
Zhu Jianrong's younger brother received the message and a recent photo of Zhu last Thursday in Shanghai.
The message did not touch on the charges against him but said the investigation is taking time because it covers his past activities in Japan. Chinese sources said in September the Ministry of State Security suspects Zhu committed illegal acts during research this year, including interviews in China with several members of the military to acquire information on the Chinese navy and other military matters.