Explainer
Why has Russia arrested a Japanese journalist on espionage charges?
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Russia's security service arrested a Japanese newspaper reporter in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk as he prepared to leave the country and flew him to Moscow, where a court ordered two months of pretrial custody.
Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk and Moscow
The FSB alleges he gathered information on Russia's defence capabilities for Japanese intelligence, while Der Spiegel reports he investigated Kuril residents fighting in Ukraine. The charges carry up to 20 years in prison.
20 yrs
Since invading Ukraine in 2022, Moscow has repeatedly arrested foreigners on espionage charges, including American reporter Evan Gershkovich in 2023, before releasing him in an exchange in August 2024. The FSB has not said whether this case could follow that route.
- 2022Ukraine invasion
- 2023Gershkovich arrested
- August 2024Prisoner exchange
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Japan denies espionage as Russia holds Hokkaido Shimbun reporter Yuki ImaiRead the article
Based on reports by
- AdnkronosRussia Rejects Japan's Request over Detention of Journalist
- Deutsche WelleJapan rejects Russia's espionage accusations against journalist
- AdnkronosTaiwan: Japan protests Chinese visit to Etorofu and Russian maneuvers
- BFMTV“No such fact”: Japan refutes Russia's espionage accusations after the arrest of a Japanese journalist
- AdnkronosTakaichi Denies Japan's Espionage Activities in Russia
- Notícias ao MinutoJapan denies espionage after detention of journalist by Russia