Japan says a second Japanese person is detained in Iran and demands their early release
Advertisement
Read this article for free:
or
Already have an account? Log in here »
We need your support!
Local journalism needs your support!
As we navigate through unprecedented times, our journalists are working harder than ever to bring you the latest local updates to keep you safe and informed.
Now, more than ever, we need your support.
Starting at $15.99 plus taxes every four weeks you can access your Brandon Sun online and full access to all content as it appears on our website.
Subscribe Nowor call circulation directly at (204) 727-0527.
Your pledge helps to ensure we provide the news that matters most to your community!
To continue reading, please subscribe:
Add Brandon Sun access to your Free Press subscription for only an additional
$1 for the first 4 weeks*
*Your next subscription payment will increase by $1.00 and you will be charged $20.00 plus GST for four weeks. After four weeks, your payment will increase to $24.00 plus GST every four weeks.
Read unlimited articles for free today:
or
Already have an account? Log in here »
TOKYO (AP) — A second Japanese national has been detained in Iran, Japan’s Foreign Ministry said Friday and demanded the early release of both people.
The ministry confirmed the second person had been detained before the Feb. 28 military strikes on Iran by the United States and Israel.
The ministry said the detainee is safe and in good health but gave no other details such as the timing of the detention or whether it is related to the detention of a Japanese journalist reported last month.
Japanese officials had confirmed the first person’s detention though they refused to give the detainee’s identity.
Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi told a parliamentary panel Friday that officials were able to contact the two after the Feb. 28 strikes and confirmed their safety. The government is “doing everything to support them, their families and others involved,” Motegi said.
Motegi said he insisted on the importance of their protection and early release when he met with the Iranian ambassador this week.
The Committee to Protect Journalists has named the first detainee as Shinnosuke Kawashima, the Tehran bureau chief of Japanese public broadcaster NHK. Its report quoted an unidentified source who spoke on condition of anonymity due to fear of retribution.
CPJ said Kawashima was arrested Jan. 20 by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and was transferred Feb. 23 to Evin Prison.
The organization demanded the immediate release of Kawashima and other journalists detained for their work.