Japan Summons Russian Ambassador After Journalist's Arrest
Japan summoned Russia's ambassador. The summons followed a journalist's arrest in Russia's far east.
He was a Japanese reporter for the Hokkaido Shimbun. Reports say he was detained on Sakhalin while preparing to leave Russia.
He was then taken to Moscow. A court ordered him held for two months.
Russian security services accused him of gathering military intelligence. They said it covered Russia's military readiness.
It also covered troops and volunteers mobilized for the war in Ukraine. The BBC said the information was about Moscow's defense capabilities.
It was meant for Tokyo. The reports have not independently confirmed these claims.
Some coverage links Japan-Russia tensions to the disputed Kuril Islands. Russia's president visited the islands in August.
Key Terms 4
- Hokkaido Shimbun A Japanese newspaper based on Hokkaido island
- Sakhalin Russian island north of Japan's Hokkaido island
- Military intelligence Secret information about another country's armed forces
- Kuril Islands Islands controlled by Russia but also claimed by Japan