Japanese daily, based in Hokkaido, widely read across the region
Russian authorities have arrested a Japanese reporter identified as Yuki Imai of the Hokkaido Shimbun on Sakhalin and flown him to Moscow on suspicion of gathering information on Russia's defence capabilities for Japanese intelligence. Tokyo has demanded consular access, summoned Russia's ambassador and called for the reporter's fair treatment; Moscow says the case is not isolated.
Japan has repeatedly demanded consular access and the journalist’s immediate release after a Japanese national working for Hokkaido Shimbun was detained on Sakhalin Island on espionage suspicions. Tokyo cites a consular-right protocol and a long-running Kuril dispute as context for Moscow's handling.