TOKYO: The Japanese government Thursday condemned the arrests of 53 pro-democracy activists in Hong Kong on suspicion of violating the national security law.

Japan has “serious concerns” about Wednesday’s arrests as they are “unacceptable given our position,” Chief Cabinet Secretary Katsunobu Kato told a press conference. Tokyo conveyed the concerns to Beijing on Wednesday, he said.

A recent series of incidents related to the law “raise serious concerns about the foundation of the ‘one country, two systems’ framework, which has been supporting Hong Kong’s prosperity, and fundamental values such as freedom of speech and the press,” Kato said.

The national security law was enforced by China last year to strengthen its control over the territory.

Kato said the Japanese government will “closely watch the situation in light of the protection of Japanese citizens.”

JIJI Press