The key facts

  • The FSB accused the correspondent of the Hokkaido Shimbun's Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk bureau of collecting information on Russia's defense capability for Japanese intelligence
  • Motegi demanded the release and called the denial of consular access
  • The Lefortovo Court in Moscow ordered the journalist held in custody for the duration of the investigation

Tokyo's Demand

On Tuesday, Japan called on Russia to

FSB Charges and Arrest

Last week, the FSB accused the correspondent of the Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk bureau of the Japanese newspaper Hokkaido Shimbun of collecting and storing information on Russia's defense capability for Japanese intelligence, stating that this data could be used against the security of the Russian Federation. The agency reported that a criminal case had been opened, and the Lefortovo District Court in Moscow ordered the journalist's arrest for the duration of the investigation.

Context of Relations

Relations between Japan and Russia sharply deteriorated after Russia began military operations against Ukraine in February 2022, after which Tokyo imposed sanctions against Moscow.