A former Asahi Kasei executive was arrested on suspicion of leaking confidential data used in semiconductor manufacturing to a Chinese company. The suspect was regarded as a model participant in the Cabinet Office's “professional talent” program.
Approximately 8 years ago, Furukawa Shoichi (古川祥一), 66, of Fuji, Shizuoka Prefecture, left Asahi Kasei. He was arrested on suspicion of illegally taking out manufacturing data for latent curing agents used in semiconductor and automobile manufacturing and emailing the data to a Chinese company in September 2024.
The arrest was based on suspicion of violating the Unfair Competition Prevention Act by disclosing trade secrets, investigated by the Aichi Prefectural Police's Economic Affairs Division. The recipient of the leaked data is said to have been Shandong Shengquan New Materials, a chemical materials manufacturer in Shandong Province.
The investigation came to light through analysis of a computer, smartphone and other items seized after Furukawa's home in Nagoya was searched in April 2025. The possibility of additional offenses cannot be ruled out as the investigation proceeds.
Furukawa joined Asahi Kasei as a new graduate in 1984 and remained there for approximately 35 years. He held important positions, including head of development in the Electronic Materials Division, and was regarded as a model for the Cabinet Office's Professional Human Resources Project.