Japan summons Russian ambassador over journalist's detention in Sakhalin

Japan's Foreign Ministry summoned Russian Ambassador Nikolai Nozdrev on October 14 to protest the detention of Japanese journalist Yuki Imai in Sakhalin Oblast.

European Affairs Bureau Director-General Kimitake Nakamura told the ambassador that Japan's government had received no explanation about the detainee despite Russia having publicly announced the case. He also demanded humane and impartial treatment of the Japanese national.

Nozdrev said he would convey Tokyo's position to the Russian government, according to Japan's Foreign Ministry.

Russia's Federal Security Service announced the detention of the Hokkaido Shimbun correspondent on October 13. It said Moscow's Lefortovsky District Court had remanded him in custody on espionage charges. The agency alleges that he gathered information on instructions from Japanese intelligence.