Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has rejected allegations of government involvement in espionage activities in Russia following the detention of a Japanese journalist on suspicion of spying.
“We’ll convey our position,” Takaichi told reporters in Tokyo, denying claims that the journalist collected intelligence for Japanese authorities, according to Jiji Press.
Russia’s Federal Security Service alleged that the journalist, working for the Hokkaido Shimbun newspaper’s bureau in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, gathered and stored information about Russia’s defence capabilities for Japanese intelligence.
The agency claimed the material could threaten Russia’s national security.
Russian authorities have reportedly launched a criminal case against the journalist. The Lefortovo District Court in Moscow has also ordered his arrest as investigations continue.
Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara said Tokyo had not yet been able to establish contact with the detained journalist.
“We’ll put our effort into holding a consular meeting as soon as possible to confirm his health condition,” Kihara said.
The detention comes amid strained relations between Japan and Russia, which have worsened since Moscow launched its war against Ukraine in February 2022. Japan subsequently imposed sanctions on Russia.
