TOKYO – A Japanese national has been detained in Iran since last month, a senior government spokesman said Wednesday when asked about a report that the Tehran bureau chief of Japan’s public broadcaster NHK has been arrested, saying the government is demanding the person’s early release.
Radio Free Europe on Tuesday reported that Iran had arrested the Tehran bureau chief, citing two sources. It said that while it was unclear when he was arrested, he was taken to the capital’s Evin Prison, where political prisoners are detained, on Monday.
Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Masanao Ozaki said at a press conference in Tokyo that the Japanese citizen was detained by Iranian authorities on Jan. 20. But Ozaki did not identify the citizen, citing “privacy concerns.”
The Japanese government has been in touch with the detained national and the family, while providing necessary support, Ozaki added.
In response to the report, NHK said, “We always prioritize the safety of our staff members, and there is nothing we can answer at this moment.”
AloJapan.com