World · Europe · 9 hrs ago
Japan urged to secure detained journalist’s release from Russia
A Hokkaido Shimbun journalist is detained in Russia on suspicion of espionage and has been transferred to Moscow.
Russia’s Federal Security Service alleges he gathered information about people involved in the war against Ukraine in the Kurile Islands, but no specific evidence is publicly available.
Japan’s prime minister and the newspaper deny government-directed espionage, and the newspaper says the reporting was not conducted under government instructions.
A Russian court has approved about two months of detention, and a Japanese Embassy visit on October 26 confirmed the journalist had no health issues at that time.
Japan is being urged to keep checking his health and treatment and press for consular access, legal help, interpreters and contact with his family.
The case matters because detaining journalists can deter reporting and limit the public’s access to information.
Japan has called for his immediate release and is urged to pursue diplomacy, while preparing for the possibility that the detention could last longer.
A Hokkaido Shimbun journalist has been detained in Russia on suspicion of espionage and transferred to Moscow.
The Japanese government is being urged to make the journalist’s safety and early release a priority.
Russia’s Federal Security Service alleges the journalist gathered information about people involved in the military operation against Ukraine.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi denied espionage, and Hokkaido Shimbun said the reporting was not conducted under government instructions.
Japanese officials met the journalist on Oct. 26 and confirmed he had no health issues, according to the Foreign Ministry.
- Who
- A journalist from Hokkaido Shimbun.
- What
- The journalist was detained in Russia on suspicion of espionage and transferred to Moscow.
- When
- The detention occurred recently; the article does not state an exact date.
- Where
- Russia; the journalist was transferred to Moscow.
- Why
- Russia’s Federal Security Service alleges the journalist gathered information about mobilized and volunteer participants in the military operation against Ukraine. The journalist’s newspaper says the reporting was not conducted under government instructions.
Russian Federal Security Service
Japanese government and Hokkaido Shimbun
Basis for detention
Russian Federal Security Service
The FSB alleges the journalist gathered information, under instructions from Japan’s intelligence service, about mobilized and volunteer participants in the military operation against Ukraine.
Japanese government and Hokkaido Shimbun
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi denied espionage, and Hokkaido Shimbun said the reporting was not conducted under government instructions.
Japanese Embassy officials in Russia met the journalist and confirmed he had no health issues, according to Japan’s Foreign Ministry.
Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi called on Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov to release the journalist immediately at a meeting in Atlanta.
- Media outlet
- Hokkaido Shimbun
- Detention location
- Russia; the journalist was transferred to Moscow
- Japanese prime minister
- Sanae Takaichi denied espionage
- Embassy meeting
- Oct. 26
- Foreign ministers’ meeting
- Oct. 30, Atlanta