Japan's Prime Minister denies any espionage activities in Russia following the arrest of a Japanese journalist in Sakhalin

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi denied on Thursday any espionage activity conducted by Japan in Russia, following the arrest of Japanese journalist Yuki Imai on Sakhalin Island, in Russia’s Far East. Moscow accuses the journalist of carrying out espionage activities and collecting information about Russian defense.

“There is no such fact,” Takaichi said, noting that the details of the allegations made by the Russian authorities are not yet clear. The Japanese prime minister stated that protecting Japanese citizens is Tokyo’s priority and that Japan will firmly uphold its position.

The arrest was announced on Tuesday by the Russian Foreign Ministry, which identified Imai as a journalist for Hokkaido Shimbun. Russia’s Federal Security Service had previously announced the detention of a Japanese citizen on Sakhalin, without disclosing his identity.

Tokyo summoned Russia’s ambassador and called for fair and impartial treatment. Hokkaido Shimbun said it was verifying the information and that the journalist’s safety was its priority.

The case comes amid tensions between the two countries, also fueled by the territorial dispute over the Southern Kuril Islands, which are claimed by Japan and administered by Russia.