Chinese authorities said that four of the six Japanese citizens detained in March for "illegal activities" had been released.

Two others are still being held on accusations of stealing China's classified information.

The six Japanese, either employed by Japan's NC Geophysical Survey Corporation or Dalian-based He Yuan Hot Spring Development Consultant Company, were found to have conducted illegal surveying activities in east China's Shandong Province and south China's Hainan Province in March, without any official registration, qualification or permit.

The two still under investigation are the heads of the two companies.

Investigations show that the two companies had conducted illegal surveys in China more than 30 times in the past 10 years.

Investigators have discovered classified materials on the suspects' laptops, USB drives and other devices, including more than 80 maps.

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