Japanese Foreign Minister Motegi Demands Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov Immediately Release Japanese National Detained in Sakhalin

ATLANTA, Georgia, United States

Japanese Minister for Foreign Affairs Toshimitsu Motegi met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Atlanta, Georgia, on October 30 (local time) and demanded the immediate release of a Japanese national detained in Russia's Sakhalin Oblast. Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) announced on the 13th of this month that it had apprehended a Japanese newspaper correspondent on espionage charges and transferred him to Moscow.

Foreign Minister Motegi Demanded the Immediate Release of the Detained Japanese National

According to Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the meeting was held for about 30 minutes from 1:35 p.m. (local time) on October 30 on the sidelines of the G20 Foreign Ministers' Meeting. Foreign Minister Motegi lodged protests and stated arguments regarding current issues between Japan and Russia based on the Japanese government's position. He demanded an immediate release concerning the detention of the Japanese national that occurred in Sakhalin Oblast.

Regarding the international situation, Foreign Minister Motegi repeatedly urged Russia to respond constructively to realize a just and lasting peace in Ukraine. The two ministers agreed to maintain communication even under difficult circumstances in Japan-Russia relations.

Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs posted the outcome of the meeting and photos from the talks on its official English and Japanese X accounts. Foreign Minister Motegi also reposted the Foreign Ministry's announcement on his personal X account. The Foreign Ministry also separately announced on its English X account that Foreign Minister Motegi exchanged views with Secretary of State Rubio on the same day.

Russia Demanded the Abandonment of "Unfriendly Policy"

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia stated on its official Telegram and X accounts that Minister Lavrov held a brief conversation with Foreign Minister Motegi at the Japanese side's request on the sidelines of the G20 Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Atlanta on October 30. The Russian side reported that it stated on this occasion that "Tokyo must abandon its unfriendly policy for full-fledged interstate dialogue to resume."

The Russian Foreign Ministry posted this statement along with three photos of the meeting on its English X account. The Russian Foreign Ministry described the exchange as a brief conversation held on the sidelines of the G20 Foreign Ministers' Meeting at the request of the Japanese side. The Russian announcement made no mention of the detained Japanese national.

The FSB Announced It Arrested a Japanese Newspaper Correspondent on Espionage Charges

The detention came to light through an FSB announcement on the 13th. The FSB stated that it disrupted the illegal activities of a correspondent from Japan's Hokkaido Shimbun bureau in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, who was accredited with the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in Sakhalin Oblast. According to the FSB, the Japanese national is suspected of espionage on behalf of one of Japan's intelligence agencies.

The FSB claimed that investigation results showed the Japanese national, acting on instructions from a Japanese intelligence agency, collected and stored information related to Russia's defense capabilities and attempted to transfer it to be used against Russian security. The FSB stated that he was apprehended in Sakhalin Oblast on the day before his departure from Russia and was transferred to Moscow. The FSB Investigative Directorate initiated a criminal case under Article 276 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (Espionage), and the Lefortovo District Court of Moscow ordered his detention. The FSB added that further investigative and operational activities are underway.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova named the detained journalist as Yuki Imai in a commentary on the same day, stating that he was detained by the FSB on suspicion of intelligence gathering activities on Russian territory. Zakharova expressed regret, stating that Japan attempted to use a correspondent with the status of a foreign journalist accredited to Russia to collect information detrimental to Russian security. She stated that Japan is ignoring Russia's concerns over Japan's remilitarization policy, and that this incident would further chill the atmosphere in Russia-Japan relations. Zakharova claimed that this was not an isolated incident and repeatedly urged the Japanese authorities to cease hostile actions toward Russia and change their approach.

Japan Summoned the Russian Ambassador to Japan the Next Day to Protest

According to Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimitake Nakamura, Director-General of the European Affairs Bureau of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, summoned Nikolai Nozdrev, Ambassador of the Russian Federation to Japan, on October 14. Director-General Nakamura requested prompt information provision regarding the FSB's October 13 announcement and demanded humane and fair treatment for the detained Japanese national.

Director-General Nakamura protested that the Russian side made a unilateral public announcement while the Japanese government had received no explanation regarding the detained Japanese national up to that point. He requested that prompt arrangements be made for the detained Japanese national to contact the Japanese government. Ambassador Nozdrev replied that he would convey the Japanese government's position to his home government.

In the same meeting, Director-General Nakamura also lodged a protest against an October 13 announcement by the Sakhalin Oblast government that officials from China's Heilongjiang Provincial Government and business executives visited Iturup Island (known as Etorofu Island in Japan). He stated that the Northern Territories are an inherent part of the territory of Japan, both historically and under international law, and that it is unacceptable for third-country government officials or business executives to enter and engage in activities as if the Northern Territories were Russian territory. When Ambassador Nozdrev explained the Russian side's position, Director-General Nakamura countered based on Japan's position. The Japanese Foreign Ministry stated that it will continue to make every effort to protect its nationals abroad and resolve the Northern Territories issue.

Director-General-Level Consultations Were Also Held in Moscow

Director-General Nakamura visited Moscow, Russia, on October 20 and met with Lyudmila Vorobyova, Director of the Third Asian Department of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, at the Russian Foreign Ministry. The Japanese Foreign Ministry stated that Director-General Nakamura conveyed protests and assertions regarding current issues between Japan and Russia based on the Japanese government's position. Both sides agreed to continue communication, including discussions on these pending issues, even under difficult circumstances in Japan-Russia relations.

The Japanese Government Expressed Regret Over the Delay in Consular Access

Foreign Minister Motegi explained at a regular press conference on October 16 that Director-General Nakamura summoned the Russian Ambassador to Japan to the Foreign Ministry the day after the Russian announcement to protest, and that demands had also been made to the Russian side locally through various channels. He revealed that Japan received a "consular notification" regarding this case from the Russian side early that morning Japan time. Foreign Minister Motegi explained that consular notification is, in principle, to be made within three days of detention, adding that the details of the notification would not be disclosed as they pertain to privacy matters. Saying that contact with the individual had not yet been made, he stated that arranging a consular meeting as soon as possible to check his health condition and confirm the facts was needed above all else. Foreign Minister Motegi said that after confirming the facts, Japan would make demands to the Russian side in the most appropriate manner depending on the situation.

At a press conference on October 20, Foreign Minister Motegi stated that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had been coordinating for a consular meeting regarding the detained Japanese national since the 13th local time, including visiting the detention facility designated by the Russian side. He explained that the Protocol to the Consular Convention between Japan and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, which remains in effect, stipulates that the right of consular visitation may be exercised no later than four days from the time of arrest or detention. Foreign Minister Motegi said it was "extremely regrettable" that consular access had not been granted without any clear reason provided. He added that requests and coordination are being carried out through various channels, and that it is certain the Foreign Ministry is doing everything it can. Along with this, Foreign Minister Motegi stated that Japan would demand immediate release, humanitarian consideration, and fair treatment from the Russian side.

At a press conference on October 23, Foreign Minister Motegi stated that Director-General Nakamura reiterated Japan's demands, including the prompt realization of a consular meeting and immediate release, to the Director of the Third Asian Department of the Russian Foreign Ministry in Moscow. He refrained from commenting on details regarding the Russian side's response, noting it was part of diplomatic communications. Foreign Minister Motegi explained that on October 22, the Japanese side visited the detention center where the Japanese national was held and delivered items requested by his family, but a consular meeting had not yet taken place. He said he was grateful for the messages from the U.S. Department of State and U.S. Ambassador to Japan George Glass. Regarding cooperation with the international community, he stated that various options could be considered from the perspective of ensuring the utmost protection of Japanese nationals, and that Japan would respond appropriately according to the situation as it develops.

The U.S. Ambassador to Japan Condemned the Detention

Ambassador Glass wrote on his official X account on October 21 that Russia's recent arrest of Hokkaido Shimbun reporter Yuki Imai was nothing short of a gross attempt to intimidate and muzzle independent journalism. He stated that, as a nation that holds freedom of expression to be a cornerstone of any free and vibrant society, the United States condemns Imai's detention and Russia's refusal to grant Japanese diplomats consular access.

Ambassador Glass tagged the official account of Hokkaido Shimbun along with the official English and Japanese accounts of Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the post.

No Health Issues Confirmed During Consular Meeting

Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that officials from the Embassy of Japan in Russia held a consular meeting with the detained Japanese national on October 26 (local time). The Japanese national was detained in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk and transferred to Moscow on October 13. The Foreign Ministry stated that it was confirmed during the meeting that he had no health problems. Foreign Minister Motegi had previously stated at the October 23 press conference that a consular meeting had not yet taken place.

The Japanese government demanded that the Russian government immediately release the detained Japanese national and provide him with humanitarian consideration and fair treatment. The Foreign Ministry stated that it will make every effort to protect its nationals.

U.S. and Japanese Foreign Ministers Also Raised the Issue on the Same Day

Foreign Minister Motegi also exchanged views with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Atlanta on the afternoon of the same day. According to Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Minister Motegi expressed gratitude during the meeting for the statement by the U.S. Department of State condemning Russia's detention of the Japanese national. He also expressed intention to continue cooperation to protect Japanese nationals.

In view of upcoming major diplomatic schedules, the two ministers exchanged views on the international situation, including the Indo-Pacific, and agreed to maintain close communication. The two ministers also exchanged views regarding the International Criminal Court (ICC). Taking into account upcoming opportunities, including the Group of Seven (G7) Foreign Ministers' Meeting, they agreed to deepen discussions to further strengthen the U.S.-Japan alliance.

The Two Ministers Stated Their Respective Positions on the Ukraine Issue

Foreign Minister Motegi said during Session 1 of the G20 Foreign Ministers' Meeting on the same day that Japan will continue to support Ukraine to achieve a just and lasting peace. According to Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, he stated that Japan would continue assistance in the energy sector, including providing large-scale generators ahead of the harsh winter, and remarked that ensuring grain exports through Ukraine's Black Sea ports is crucial for global food security.

In a press conference following the meeting, Foreign Minister Lavrov stated that anyone can see European countries are trying to wedge themselves into the Ukraine negotiation process. He argued that what matters is not what Europe wants, but what added value it can actually bring. Lavrov stated that talks in Abu Dhabi would take place, but remarked that it remains unclear what the Ukrainian side will bring to the negotiating table. He said that, as President Vladimir Putin stated, if President Zelenskyy wants talks, he can come to Moscow and Russia will guarantee his safety.

Lavrov Welcomed Dialogue With the United States at the G20

Lavrov welcomed the U.S. willingness to engage in dialogue during the press conference after the G20 Foreign Ministers' Meeting. According to the transcript released by the Russian Foreign Ministry, he stated that despite numerous differences, one can only welcome the U.S. readiness and interest to continue dialogue at various levels and through various channels. Lavrov stated that he discussed certain aspects of bilateral relations and cooperation in multilateral arenas such as the UN, G20, and APEC with Secretary Rubio. He said he sees the possibility of reaching agreements that will actually be implemented under a pragmatic U.S. presidency.

Sources (KST)

• Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, "Japan-Russia Foreign Ministers' Meeting" (October 30, 2026): https://www.mofa.go.jp/erp/rss/pageite_000001_01893.html
• Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, "G20 Foreign Ministers' Meeting Session 1: 'Geopolitical Issues'" (October 30, 2026): https://www.mofa.go.jp/ecm/epc/pageite_000001_01894.html
• Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, "Exchange of Views between Japanese Foreign Minister and U.S. Secretary of State" (October 30, 2026): https://www.mofa.go.jp/na/na1/us/pageite_000001_01895.html
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• Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, "Meeting between Director-General of the European Affairs Bureau NAKAMURA, and Director of the Third Asian Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation VOROBYOVA" (Announced October 21, 2026): https://www.mofa.go.jp/press/release/pressite_000001_02763.html
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• Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation (FSB), "ФСБ России за шпионаж в интересах одной из японских спецслужб задержан подданный Японии" (October 13, 2026): http://www.fsb.ru/fsb/press/message/single.htm%21id%3D10440862%40fsbMessage.html
• Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, "Comment by Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova regarding the detainment of a Japanese journalist" (October 13, 2026): https://www.mid.ru/en/foreign_policy/news/2154455/?lang=en
• Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, "茂木外務大臣会見記録" (October 16, Reiwa 8 / 2026): https://www.mofa.go.jp/mofaj/press/kaiken/kaikenit_000001_00149.html
• Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, "茂木外務大臣会見記録" (October 20, Reiwa 8 / 2026): https://www.mofa.go.jp/mofaj/press/kaiken/kaikenit_000001_00150.html
• Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, "茂木外務大臣会見記録" (October 23, Reiwa 8 / 2026): https://www.mofa.go.jp/mofaj/press/kaiken/kaikenit_000001_00152.html
• Official X Account of U.S. Ambassador to Japan George Glass (@USAmbJapan): https://x.com/USAmbJapan/status/2112750233558056973
• Official Telegram of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, Lavrov-Motegi conversation and Minister Lavrov's press conference (October 30, 2026): https://t.me/s/MFARussia/33147
• Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan Official English X (@MofaJapan_en): https://x.com/MofaJapan_en/status/2116243251174965559
• Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan Official X (@MofaJapan_jp): https://x.com/MofaJapan_jp/status/2116242471411995012
• Minister for Foreign Affairs Toshimitsu Motegi Official X (@moteging): https://x.com/moteging/status/2116322930544259078
• Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation Official English X (@mfa_russia): https://x.com/mfa_russia/status/2116247412993884553