World · Europe · 1 hr ago
Russia says fate of detained Japanese journalist depends on investigation
A Hokkaido Shimbun journalist was detained in Russia in October, in the far eastern region of Sakhalin.
Russian authorities charged him with espionage, an offence under Article 276 of the Russian Criminal Code.
Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said his future depends on the FSB investigation.
Russia says the Federal Security Service is conducting the investigation under Russian law, and the journalist’s detention deadline is December 12.
Japan’s foreign minister asked Russia to release him immediately during a meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on October 30.
A consular visit took place on October 26, and Zakharova said the journalist reported no health problems.
Russia says the future of a detained Japanese journalist will depend on the results of an ongoing investigation by the Federal Security Service.
The journalist works for the Hokkaido Shimbun and was detained in Russia on suspicion of espionage.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova declined to say how Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov responded to Japan’s demand for the journalist’s immediate release.
The journalist’s detention period is due to expire on Dec. 12.
Zakharova said substantive dialogue between Japan and Russia could resume only if Japan abandons policies Moscow considers anti-Russian.
- Who
- A Japanese journalist with the Hokkaido Shimbun has been detained; Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova commented on the case.
- What
- Russia says the journalist’s future depends on the outcome of an investigation into suspected espionage.
- When
- Zakharova spoke on Nov. 5, 2026. The detention period is due to expire on Dec. 12.
- Where
- The journalist was detained in Sakhalin, in Russia’s Far East, and later taken to Moscow.
- Why
- The journalist is suspected of espionage; the sources say the FSB investigation will determine what happens next.
Japan
Russia
Release of detainee
Japan
Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi demanded the journalist’s immediate release.
Russia
Russia says the journalist’s future depends on the FSB investigation.
Conditions for dialogue
Japan
Not stated.
Russia
Russia says substantive dialogue can resume only if Japan abandons policies Moscow considers anti-Russian.
The journalist was detained by the FSB in Sakhalin, according to Mainichi.
TASS reported that a consular visit to the detainee was arranged.
Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi demanded the journalist’s immediate release in a meeting with Sergey Lavrov, according to Nikkei.
Zakharova said the journalist’s future depended on the investigation.
The journalist’s detention period is due to expire.
- Journalist’s employer
- Hokkaido Shimbun
- Detaining agency
- Federal Security Service (FSB)
- Place of detention
- Sakhalin, in Russia’s Far East
- Expected detention expiry
- Dec. 12
- Japanese foreign minister
- Toshimitsu Motegi
- Russian spokeswoman
- Maria Zakharova
3 sources
What people are saying
Further developments surrounding the individual who used his journalistic status for other, unlawful purposes will depend on the results of the investigation being conducted by the Federal Security Service (FSB)
He did not complain of any health problems