Russia-Japan journalist arrest dispute grows after Yuki Imai detained on Sakhalin

Japan lodged a protest with Russia on Wednesday after Russian authorities arrested a Japanese journalist for suspected spying. Tokyo asked Moscow to explain the detention and allow consular contact. Japan also sought humane treatment for the detained reporter. Russia’s Federal Security Service said the case involved alleged defence-related information gathering.

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Russia’s Foreign Ministry identified the reporter as Yuki Imai, who works for the Hokkaido Shimbun newspaper. The FSB said it detained Imai on Sakhalin Island while Imai was preparing to leave Russia. Hokkaido Shimbun said Imai had entered on a journalist visa and planned to depart Tuesday.

Japan protest over Russian journalist arrest

In Tokyo on Wednesday, Kimitake Nakamura, head of the European Affairs Bureau, summoned Russian Ambassador Nikolay Nozdrev. Nakamura protested Moscow’s announcement without an explanation to Japan’s government, a ministry statement said. Nakamura demanded humane and fair treatment. Nakamura also asked that Japanese officials be allowed to contact the journalist.

Nozdrev said Nozdrev would pass Japan’s stance to Moscow, the Japanese ministry said. Japans Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara said the journalists health was unknown. Kihara said Japanese officials had not been able to contact the journalist. Russia had not answered Tokyo’s requests for access, Kihara added.

"Well do everything we can for the protection of the Japanese citizen,\" Kihara said. \"Though Japan has many problems with Russia, the two countries are neighbours and we need to communicate,\" Kihara said. Kihara said Japan will manage relations properly. Kihara added Japan will act to serve national interests.

Russian journalist arrest linked to spying charge

Maria Zakharova said Tuesday that Imai had been charged with espionage. Zakharova accused Tokyo of using Japanese journalists in Russia to collect information. Zakharova called that approach regrettable. The FSB said Imai was suspected of gathering information about Russias defence capability for a Japanese intelligence agency.

Zakharova said Japans policies toward Russia and its military buildup threatened Moscows security interests in the Far East. Zakharova added that the case would cool the atmosphere in Russian-Japanese ties. Tuesdays arrest added to wider tensions. Those tensions rose after President Vladimir Putins August visit to Iturup.

Kuril Islands dispute and Russian journalist arrest context

Iturup is one of four disputed Kuril Islands in a Moscow-controlled Pacific chain. Japan also claims the islands and calls them the Northern Territory. Nakamura reiterated Japans territorial claim during the meeting, the ministry said. Nakamura also protested a reported visit to Iturup by Chinese regional officials and companies.

The Sakhalin regional government announced the Chinese visit Tuesday. The Russian region of Sakhalin includes Sakhalin Island and the four southernmost islands of the Kuril chain. Moscow controls those islands, while Tokyo claims them. The FSB is the main successor to the Soviet KGB.

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi protested Putins August visit to Iturup. Takaichi called it a further blow to ties already strained by Russias war in Ukraine. Earlier this month, Tokyo imposed additional economic sanctions on Moscow over the war. The latest arrest came amid these disputes.

The Soviet Union seized the Kuril Islands from Japan in the final days of World War II. That history remains central to the dispute. The disagreement has blocked a peace treaty ending the countries’ hostilities. Japan’s protest on Wednesday focused on access and treatment, while wider tensions continued over territory and security.

With inputs from PTI