Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi told Liberal Democratic Party upper house member Muneo Suzuki that Japan will work for the release of a Hokkaido Shimbun journalist detained by Russian authorities, saying the government wants to secure the reporter's freedom.
Suzuki, speaking after the meeting, said Takaichi told him the effort was already under way through diplomatic channels. "Japan too wants to work toward the biggest resolution — the person's release," he quoted her as saying. "She said they are doing it now through diplomatic routes."
Suzuki said he told Takaichi that a meeting of the Japanese and Russian foreign ministers on the 30th of last month had been "extremely good" because it created a chance for dialogue. He added that he believes the government is right to keep its response quiet.
According to Suzuki, Takaichi also said she appreciated that the Russian side was responding "from a humanitarian standpoint." The source does not say when the meeting took place or give further details of the detention.