Japanese journalist’s arrest in Russia deepens Moscow-Tokyo row

The Japanese government has strongly condemned Russia’s detention of a Japanese journalist accused of spying, demanding a detailed explanation for Moscow’s action.

Thirty-four-year-old Yuki Imai, a correspondent for Hokkaido Shimbun newspaper based in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, has been remanded in custody until December 12, according to Kommersant newspaper.

Japan’s Foreign Ministry summoned the Russian Ambassador Nikolay Nozdrev on Wednesday to protest Imai’s arrest by the Federal Security Service in the Pacific island of Sakhalin Oblast.

Director-General of the European Affairs Bureau, Nakamura Kimitake, requested that information on the matter be provided promptly and urged Moscow to treat the detained national in a humane manner.

Tokyo wants an opportunity to speak with Imai, whom the authorities accuse of gathering intelligence on Russia’s military capabilities and questioning local residents about soldiers and volunteers.

The journalist, who was remanded into pretrial custody by the Lefortovo District Court, studied at Saint Petersburg State University and has covered the disputed Kuril Islands and Russia–North Korea relations.

Russia’s Foreign Ministry said Imai was arrested for “conducting intelligence activities in our territory” and was charged with a crime under Article 227 (Espionage) of the Criminal Code of the Federation.

The spokeswoman, Maria Zakharova, called Tokyo’s “attempts to use its correspondents” to collect information aimed at undermining state security “regrettable,” saying there have been instances of alleged espionage.

The latest incident will further diminish ties, Zakharova noted, citing fractured relations caused by Japan’s “anti-Russian policy” over Ukraine and its remilitarisation, which affects Russia’s security interests in the Far East.

“We once again urge the Tokyo authorities to reconsider and change their approach, abandoning their hostile steps toward Russia,” the diplomat advised.

The journalist’s detainment occurred barely two weeks after Japan announced its 27th package of sanctions against Russia in response to the Ukrainian conflict, with Moscow vowing to hit Tokyo’s interests.