Russia Orders Japanese Reporter Held for Two Months on Espionage Suspicion

The journalist, accused of seeking military secrets on the Ukraine war, could face up to 20 years in prison if convicted. Tokyo has been unable to reach him.

A Moscow court ruled on October 13 that a Japanese male reporter affiliated with the Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk bureau of the Hokkaido Shimbun newspaper must remain in detention for two months.

The reporter was detained in Russia's Far Eastern Sakhalin Region, historically known in Japan as Karafuto. If convicted, he could face up to 20 years in prison. Several major Russian media outlets reported the court's decision.

The Japanese Embassy in Russia told The Sankei Shimbun on October 13 that it was "gathering information" about the reporter's detention. The embassy also said it had been unable to meet with him as of that evening.

Espionage Allegation

Earlier on October 13, Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB), the country's intelligence agency, announced that it had detained the reporter on suspicion of espionage and transferred him to Moscow. The FSB alleged that he had collected information related to national defense.

The agency further alleged that the reporter had obtained classified information from residents of the Kuril Islands, as Russia calls the island chain that includes the Northern Territories, which are disputed between Tokyo and Moscow. 

The information reportedly concerned the number of soldiers and volunteers mobilized for Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The FSB claimed that the reporter intended to pass the information on to Japanese intelligence services.

It also released footage apparently showing the reporter being detained at the hotel where he had been staying. 

In the video, the reporter asks why he is being detained. An investigator responds, "You are suspected of espionage on behalf of Japanese intelligence services." The reporter then appears to react with disbelief.

In a similar incident, Russian authorities temporarily detained a Kyodo News reporter in the Far Eastern city of Vladivostok in December 2019 on suspicion of attempting to illegally obtain military secrets. 

The authorities ordered the reporter to leave the country within 72 hours, and he departed Russia the following day.

Japanese Government Seeks Fair Treatment

Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi said at a Lower House Budget Committee meeting on October 14 that Japan had asked Russia to provide information about the detained reporter and to ensure he received humanitarian consideration and fair, impartial treatment.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara said at a press conference that Japanese officials had not yet been able to contact the detained national. According to Foreign Ministry officials, Japan made the request to Moscow on October 13. It had not responded as of the time of reporting.

At the Budget Committee meeting, Motegi said Japan would work to establish the circumstances surrounding the detention and confirm the reporter's health. He stressed that Japan would take all necessary measures, including making further representations to Russia, adding, "We will do everything possible to ensure the protection of Japanese nationals."

Motegi also commented on a visit to Etorofu Island, one of the disputed Northern Territories, by a delegation from China's Heilongjiang Province.

"The Northern Territories are an inherent part of our country's territory, both historically and under international law," he said.

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(Read the related article in Japanese.)

Author: The Sankei Shimbun