World · North America · 2 hrs ago
Japan urges Russia to release detained journalist
At a G20 meeting in Atlanta, Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi met Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.
Motegi demanded the immediate release of a Japanese journalist detained by Russian authorities in Sakhalin, in Russia’s Far East.
Russia said the journalist was suspected of espionage, while Japan called for his release.
The case adds to strained relations between Japan and Russia, already affected by Russia’s war in Ukraine and a dispute over the Kuril Islands.
The countries also have not signed a formal peace treaty ending World War Two.
Japan has joined Western sanctions on Russia, while continuing to buy Russian liquefied natural gas.
The ministers agreed to keep communicating, but Russia said fuller dialogue would require Japan to abandon policies Moscow considers unfriendly.
Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi urged Russia to immediately release a Japanese journalist detained on Sakhalin Island.
Motegi made the demand during a meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Atlanta on October 30.
Russia said the journalist was detained on suspicion of espionage.
The meeting took place amid strained relations over Russia’s war in Ukraine and a territorial dispute.
The two ministers agreed to maintain communication despite the tensions, according to Japan’s Foreign Ministry.
- Who
- Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.
- What
- Motegi demanded the immediate release of a detained Japanese journalist.
- When
- October 30, 2026.
- Where
- Atlanta, Georgia, on the sidelines of a G20 foreign ministers’ meeting.
- Why
- The journalist had been detained on Sakhalin Island on suspicion of espionage.
Japan
Russia
Journalist's detention
Japan
Motegi demanded the journalist's immediate release.
Russia
Russia detained the journalist on suspicion of espionage.
Relations between the countries
Japan
Japan called for continued communication and urged Russia to take steps toward peace in Ukraine.
Russia
Russia said resuming full-fledged dialogue required Japan to abandon its “unfriendly” policies.
Russia’s FSB detained the Hokkaido Shimbun reporter on Sakhalin Island on suspicion of espionage.
Motegi and Lavrov met in Atlanta, where Motegi demanded the journalist’s immediate release.
An official from the Japanese Embassy in Moscow was granted a consular visit to the detained journalist.
- Japanese foreign minister
- Toshimitsu Motegi
- Russian foreign minister
- Sergey Lavrov
- Meeting date
- October 30, 2026
- Meeting location
- Atlanta, Georgia
- Detention location
- Sakhalin Island, Russia
- Detention date
- October 13
5 sources
Motegi demands Russia free Japanese journalist in meeting with Lavrov
Motegi demands Russia free detained Japanese journalist in meeting: Japan
Japan demands release of national in meeting with Russia's Lavrov
茂木外相、道新記者の即解放をロシアに要求 ラブロフ外相と30分会談
Lavrov, top Japanese diplomat hold talks on sidelines of G20 meeting in Atlanta
What people are saying
Regarding the detention of a Japanese national in Sakhalin Oblast, Minister Motegi strongly demanded the immediate release
Minister Motegi strongly called on Russia to take positive actions toward achieving a just and lasting peace in Ukraine.
The resumption of full-fledged interstate dialogue requires Tokyo to give up unfriendly policies