According to Phoenix Satellite TV, the Russian Federal Security Agency confirmed on October 13 that a Japanese journalist working for Hokkaido Shimbun was arrested in the Far Eastern province of Sakhalin on suspicion of espionage activities.
According to the notification, an investigation by the Russian Federal Security Service found that the Japanese journalist was collecting and storing information related to Russia‘s defense capabilities, and transmitting it on the instructions of Japanese intelligence agencies, endangering Russian security.
The Russian Federal Security Service has filed a criminal suit against the Japanese citizen in accordance with the relevant legal provisions, and the court has ruled that the suspect is in custody pending trial. Currently, further investigations are underway.
Russian foreign ministry spokesperson Zakharova said the incident will further cast a shadow on Russian-Japanese relations. The Russian side once again called on the Japanese authorities to wake up, change their approach, and abandon hostile actions against Russia.
Zaharova points out that it is regrettable that the Japanese attempt to use journalists in Russia to gather information in order to undermine Russian security. This is not an isolated case. Japan adopted an “anti-Russian route” after the start of Russia‘s special military operation, leading to the overall deterioration of bilateral cooperation. The Japanese also refused to listen to Russia‘s concerns about Japan‘s “re-militarization,” which threatens Russia’s security interests in the Far East.