Russia has accused Japanese journalist Imai Yuki of espionage, escalating tensions between Moscow and Tokyo as diplomatic relations between the two countries continue to deteriorate.
Imai, who worked at the Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk bureau of Japanese newspaper Hokkaido Shimbun, has been transferred to Moscow and remains in custody, according to Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB).
Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said Imai had been charged under Article 276 of the Russian Criminal Code, which deals with espionage. She made the remarks in a statement on Tuesday.
Zakharova accused Tokyo of attempting to gather information that could undermine Russia’s national security by using correspondents working in the country under the status of foreign journalists.
She said Japan’s anti-Russian policies since Moscow launched its “special military operation” had reduced bilateral cooperation. She also criticised Tokyo’s reluctance to address Moscow’s concerns over Japan’s renewed efforts to strengthen its military capabilities.
“The recent incident will further poison the atmosphere in Russia-Japan relations,” Zakharova said, according to the report.
She called on Tokyo to refrain from what Moscow considers hostile actions against Russia.
The allegations come amid persistent tensions between the two countries over Japan’s policy toward Russia and broader regional security concerns.
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