🔻Japanese journalist detained in Russia; Tokyo rejects spying allegation

Sanae Takaichi, Japan’s prime minister, rejected Russia’s claim about alleged espionage activities by Japan on Russian soil. The remarks came after Moscow detained a Japanese journalist on suspicion of espionage.

In response to questions from reporters about Russia’s allegations, Takaichi said: “Such a thing is not true.”

She also added: “At present, protecting Japanese nationals is of very great importance, and we intend to focus our efforts on that.”

She also said that details of the allegations raised are still unclear.

In reaction to the move, Tokyo summoned the Russian ambassador to lodge an official protest against the journalist’s detention.

News of the Japanese journalist’s detention in Russia was published two days ago (October 13). Reports say that he was detained in the Sakhalin region and then transferred to Moscow.

It has been reported that the journalist works for the Japanese newspaper Hokkaido Shimbun. Russia’s Federal Security Service has accused him of collecting information about Russia’s defense capabilities on suspicion of espionage.

According to reports, a court in Moscow has ordered that he be held in detention for about two months. The Japanese government protested his detention and requested an official explanation from Russia and consular access to the journalist.

In recent years, Russia has detained several citizens of countries it describes as “unfriendly” over allegations of cooperation with Western intelligence services.