Japan protests lack of consular access to journalist held in Russia for spying

Japan said it has been denied consular access to Hokkaido Shimbun journalist Yuki Imai, arrested on Russia's Sakhalin Island on suspicion of espionage, despite a protocol allowing a visit within four days.

Japan has condemned Russia for not granting consular access to a Japanese journalist arrested on Sakhalin Island in the Russian Far East. Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara said a bilateral protocol signed with the Soviet Union and still in force with Russia allows a consular visit within four days of an arrest, calling the failure to arrange one "extremely regrettable." Tokyo also demanded the journalist's release and fair treatment.

Russia's Foreign Ministry identified the journalist as Yuki Imai of the Hokkaido Shimbun newspaper. Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said he is accused of espionage on Russian territory, while the Federal Security Service said the detained Japanese citizen gathered information on Russia's defense for Japanese intelligence. Japan, including Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, rejected the accusation.

Aniva lighthouse off Sakhalin Island

Russian media reported that Imai is expected to remain in custody until at least Dec. 12. Tokyo summoned Russian Ambassador Nikolai Nozdrev to protest. Sakhalin lies near the southern Kuril Islands, which Russia has controlled since World War II and Japan calls its Northern Territories.

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