China executes Japanese drug smuggler

BEIJING - China executed a Japanese citizen Tuesday for attempting to smuggle drugs out of the country, a media report said.

Mitsunobu Akano, 65, was executed in Liaoning province after being caught with more than 1.5 kg of the contraband methamphetamine, Xinhua quoted the Supreme People’s Court as saying.

Akano was caught at an airport in Dalian town in September 2006. Police also found more than one kg of drugs with Akano’s accomplice.

Under Chinese law, those convicted of smuggling, selling, transporting or producing more than 50 grams of methamphetamine or heroin can be sentenced to death.