Japan demands the "immediate release" of the detained Japanese journalist from Russia and requests consular access

The Government of Japan has demanded the immediate release of Imai Yuki, a journalist from the newspaper Hokkaido Shimbun, who was detained by Russian authorities on suspicion of espionage. Japanese government officials, including government spokesperson Minoru Kihara and the director general for Europe of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, also urgently requested consular access to the detained reporter.

The detention and subsequent diplomatic demands occur against the backdrop of deteriorating bilateral relations between Tokyo and Moscow.