Ex-Asahi Kasei employee arrested over leaking semiconductor trade secrets
NAGOYA (Kyodo) -- A former employee of major Japanese chemical company Asahi Kasei Corp. was arrested Thursday on suspicion of leaking confidential in
A former Asahi Kasei employee, Shoichi Furukawa, was arrested on Thursday, 2024, on suspicion of leaking confidential semiconductor trade secrets to a Chinese company, police announced. Furukawa, 66, allegedly provided information to a firm in China after leaving Asahi Kasei in late 2018, according to the company. He served as head of a manufacturing technology department before his departure.
Aichi prefectural police have not disclosed whether Furukawa has admitted to the charges. In August 2024, a company based in Nagoya, where Furukawa later worked, reported a suspected information leak to the police. An analysis of seized items, including a computer, confirmed Furukawa had taken trade secrets from Asahi Kasei. Furukawa is alleged to have failed to return a digital storage medium containing data on Novacure, a trade secret used in adhesives for auto parts and semiconductors, around November 30, 2018, and later emailed the data to a person affiliated with the Chinese company around September 13, 2024.
Asahi Kasei's investigation confirmed the Chinese company as the recipient, and that Furukawa had served as plant manager and head of development for electronic materials while employed. The company is reviewing access privileges for confidential information and tightening employee information controls, expressing deep regret for the inconvenience and concern caused.
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