Japan's NHK televsion reported that China has executed a Japanese drug trafficker earlier today in the north-east city of Dalian.

The unidentified 50-year-old was the fifth Japanese person to be executed in China since the two countries normalized their ties in 1972.

The report said the man was found guilty of acting with another Japanese man, trying to carry drugs from Dalian to Japan. It didn't elaborate on when the case happened or what kind of drugs they carried.

The Dalian Immediate Court has informed the Japanese Consulate General staff today of the execution.

Earlier this month, the Japanese government issued a request for a communted sentence to Chinese authorities through its embassy in Beijing.

The man was allowed to meet his relatives on Thursday.

In China, the seizure of 50 grams or more of heroin or crystal methamphetamine could result in the use of the death penalty, which applies to both its nationals and foreigners.