China yesterday executed a Japanese national for the first time in decades, waving aside concern from Tokyo that the move could fuel antagonism between the ever-fractious east Asian powers.
The death of convicted drug-smuggler Mitsunobu Akano, 65, and China's plans to execute three other Japanese highlight Beijing's growing willingness to defy international opinion in its handling of criminal cases involving foreign nationals.
They also come at a time of heightened public debate over the use of the death penalty in Japan, South Korea and Taiwan.
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