The Hokkaido Shimbun Press headquarters is pictured in Sapporo’s Chuo Ward on Oct. 14, 2026. (Mainichi/Toshiki Miyama)
Russian intelligence authorities have detained a male reporter from Japan’s Hokkaido Shimbun Press stationed in Sakhalin Oblast in the Far East, transferred him to Moscow and charged him with espionage. It is unacceptable for authorities to make unfounded accusations against a member of the press engaged in legitimate reporting and take him into custody. We demand his immediate release.
Russian authorities claim that the journalist was investigating the involvement of residents of the Northern Territories in the war in Ukraine with the intention of providing information to Japanese authorities. The four islands making up the Northern Territories off the northeast coast of Hokkaido are controlled by Russia and claimed by Japan. A court has reportedly ordered that he be detained for two months.
However, the grounds for his detention are unclear. The man had obtained a journalist visa and was engaged in news-gathering activities. He was reportedly detained shortly before he was due to leave his post at the end of his assignment. The timing of the detention suggests a political motive on Russia’s part.
When the Japanese government announced additional sanctions on Russia over the situation in Ukraine earlier this month, Moscow objected, warning that it would “take proportionate countermeasures, focusing primarily on areas of interest to Japan.” It was eight days after this statement that the detention of the Japanese man came to light. It is possible he was detained in retaliation for the additional sanctions.
Russia’s apparent attempt to make an example of the reporter also cannot be overlooked. Russian intelligence authorities filmed him being led away in handcuffs and disseminated the footage through the media.
A Japanese reporter was also detained in Russia in 2019. He was suspected of attempting to obtain military secrets but was released after five hours. In 2022, an employee of a Japanese consulate was briefly detained and subsequently expelled from the country.
Meanwhile, an American reporter arrested on suspicion of espionage in 2023 was sentenced to 16 years in prison. Following efforts by U.S. authorities, he was released one year and four months later in exchange for the release of Russians being held in several countries.
The Japanese government has asked Moscow to show humanitarian consideration and ensure fair and equitable treatment. First, it is essential to make contact with the man and confirm his safety and health. Tokyo must then press strongly for his release as soon as possible. Depending on the circumstances, Japan may need to advance negotiations with cooperation from the United States and other countries.
The role of the press is to report on a wide range of events around the world and convey them to the public. Such reporting also contributes to mutual understanding between countries. Russia should end its unjust treatment of journalists.
AloJapan.com