Japan Regrets Inability to Meet Journalist Held in Russia

The Japanese government said on October 17 that it regrets being unable to meet a Japanese journalist detained in Russia, according to information from Tokyo.

According to the source, Japan has repeatedly requested access to the journalist but has so far not achieved a result. The inability to secure a meeting is seen as an obstacle to ascertaining the situation of the Japanese national in custody.

The disclosure comes as relations between Japan and Russia remain strained over issues involving citizens and journalists. Japan stressed its wish to secure access as soon as possible in order to verify the journalist's condition.

Details about the timing and location of any meeting, as well as the diplomatic exchanges between the two sides, have not been fully disclosed.