Russia’s arrest of Japanese journalist: Why are tensions rising?

Japanese journalist Imai Yuki arrested on Sakhalin for allegedly spying on Russian defence capabilities, says the FSB. Save Share Russia has arrested aJapanese journalistfrom Sakhalin Island after accusing him of spying and gathering information on its defence capabilities. On Tuesday, Russian news agencies reported that the reporter, working for the Hokkaido Shimbun newspaper, was arrested by the Federal Security Service (FSB) as he was preparing to leave the next day. According to the TASS news agency, the FSB said the journalist, Imai Yuki, was arrested in the Sakhalin region and taken to Moscow after being accused in a “criminal case”. The arrest of the Japanese citizen comes amid deteriorating relations between the two countries as Tokyo joined Western sanctions against Moscow due to the invasion of Ukraine. Russian President Vladimir Putin’s August visit to Iturup Island, which is part of the Kuril Islands archipelago, drew sharp reactions from Japan. The two countries have a longstanding territorial dispute over the Kuril Islands dating back more than a century. Here’s what we know about the arrest: Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Maria Zakharova, during a press briefing on Tuesday, said Yuki was accused of espionage. “Tokyo’s attempts to use its correspondents in Russia, who hold foreign journalist status, to gather information aimed at undermining our country’s security are regrettable. We cannot help but point out that today’s incident is not an isolated one,” Zakharova said. “Given the overall decline in bilateral cooperation caused by the Japanese authorities’ anti-Russian policies since the start of the Second World War, as well as Tokyo’s reluctance to listen to Moscow’s concerns regarding Japan’s remilitarisation policy, which affects our legitimate security interests in the Far East, we are forced to note that this development will further darken the atmosphere of Russian-Japanese relations.” Zakharova called on Tokyo to “come to its senses and change its approach, abandoning hostile steps towards Russia”. According to Russia’s Interfax news agency, Yuki will be remanded until December 12 before the trial begins. On Wednesday morning, Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi said Tokyo had requested the “prompt provision of information” from Russian authorities over the arrest. “As well as for humanitarian consideration and fair and impartial treatment,” he added....