Russian Ambassador to Japan Rejects Tokyo's Demands Regarding Detained Journalist, Stating Investigation Follows Russian Law

Amid the arrest of a Japanese journalist by Russian authorities, it has been reported that the Japanese government has strongly protested to Russia, but has yet to make contact with the detained journalist due to a lack of cooperation from the Russian side.

During a press conference today (October 16), Japanese Government Spokesperson and Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara stated regarding the arrest of a Hokkaido Shimbun journalist in Sakhalin, "We received consular notification from the Russian side yesterday, but we have not yet been able to contact the Japanese national."

Consular notification is a diplomatic procedure in which a government is notified of the arrest or detention of its citizen in a foreign country.

He added, "We will do our utmost to realize a consular visit as soon as possible to check their health condition and understanding of the facts."

On October 14, the Japanese Foreign Ministry summoned the Russian Ambassador to Japan to lodge a protest, demanding that an opportunity to contact the journalist be arranged promptly while urging humane, fair, and impartial treatment. However, the Russian side adamantly rejected Japan's request with a firm tone.

The Russian Embassy announced on Facebook yesterday that "Ambassador Nikolai Nozdrev, during a meeting with Kimitake Nakamura, Director-General of the European Affairs Bureau of the Japanese Foreign Ministry who summoned him, decisively brushed off the demands made by Japan."

The embassy also wrote that Ambassador Nozdrev emphasized to Director-General Nakamura that "the investigation related to this case is being conducted in accordance with Russian law."

On October 13 (local time), Russia announced that the Federal Security Service (FSB) had arrested a Japanese journalist in the Far Eastern Sakhalin Oblast on suspicion of espionage activities.

According to the Russian Embassy's post on X, Ambassador Nozdrev maintained a firm stance not only regarding the arrest of the Japanese journalist but also against Japan's protest over visits to the Kuril Islands (known in Japan as the "Northern Territories") by Chinese entrepreneurs.

Ambassador Nozdrev stated, "Practical cooperation, including inter-regional exchanges, will continue to expand steadily moving forward."

Recently, a government delegation consisting of officials and entrepreneurs from China's Heilongjiang Provincial Government visited Etorofu Island, one of the four disputed Kuril Islands.

The Kuril Islands are claimed by Japan, which refers to them as the "Northern Territories."

(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.