Beijing: The Chinese government has confirmed the arrest of six Japanese men in China for "illegal activities".

A Foreign Ministry spokeswoman declined to comment on reports the men had been involved in spying or what the "illegal activities" were.

China wouldn't say if the arrests were connected to spying. Credit:Greg Newington

The Chinese government has been carrying out an investigation into six Japanese in China and has informed the Japanese consular office in China, she said.

The Japanese news agency Kyodo reported earlier on Monday that the six men had been in custody since March. Three were detained in Shandong province and three were detained in Hainan, on the southern coast.