# Japan denies spying in Russia, says it cannot contact detained journalist

https://mins.news/en/item/101824

- Meduza, 2026-10-15 16:43 UTC
- World
- Original: https://meduza.io/en/news/2026/10/15/japan-denies-spying-in-russia-says-it-can-t-contact-detained-journalist

> Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi denied that Japanese authorities spy in Russia after Hokkaido Shimbun correspondent Yuki Imai was detained in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk. She said protecting Japanese citizens was the government’s priority. Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara said Japan had not reached Imai and was arranging a meeting. Russia’s FSB alleges he gathered information on Kuril residents mobilized or volunteering to fight in Ukraine at the direction of Japanese intelligence.

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