Japan demands access to journalist detained in Russia as spy row persists

Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara has said that because Japan-Russia relations “are in a difficult state,” it is necessary for the two countries’ diplomatic authorities to engage in exchanges "on outstanding issues.” | JIJI

Oct 21, 2026

A senior Japanese official has visited Moscow, demanding consular access and calling for the immediate release of a Hokkaido Shimbun journalist detained on spying allegations, Tokyo said Wednesday.

Kimitake Nakamura, director-general of the Japanese Foreign Ministry’s European Affairs Bureau, met Tuesday with Lyudmila Georgievna Vorobyova, director of the Russian Foreign Ministry’s Third Asian Department, which oversees Japan, to discuss both the detention and various recent issues in bilateral relations, Japan’s top government spokesman said Wednesday.

“During the meeting, Japan conveyed its position that it calls for consular access to the Japanese national detained in Russia to be granted as soon as possible, as well as the individual’s immediate release,” Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara said. 

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