Two Japanese Citizens Now Held in Iranian Custody, Tokyo Confirms

Japan's Foreign Ministry has confirmed that a second Japanese citizen is being detained in Iran, bringing the total to two people in custody. Officials say both detainees are safe and healthy following recent U.S. and Israeli military strikes in the region.

TOKYO (AP) — Japan’s Foreign Ministry announced Friday that Iranian authorities are holding a second Japanese citizen, prompting officials to call for the prompt release of both detained individuals.

According to ministry officials, the second person was taken into custody prior to the February 28 military operations conducted by U.S. and Israeli forces against Iran.

While the ministry reported that the detained individual remains safe and healthy, they declined to provide additional information about when the arrest occurred or whether it connects to the detention of a Japanese reporter disclosed last month.

Japanese authorities had previously acknowledged the first person’s detention while declining to reveal the individual’s name.

During a Friday parliamentary session, Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi stated that officials successfully made contact with both detainees following the February 28 strikes and verified their well-being. The government is “doing everything to support them, their families and others involved,” Motegi said.

Motegi revealed he had asked for their prompt release during a meeting with Iran’s ambassador earlier this week.

The Committee to Protect Journalists has identified the first detained person as Shinnosuke Kawashima, who serves as the Tehran bureau chief for Japan’s public broadcaster NHK. The organization’s report cited an unnamed source who requested anonymity due to concerns about possible retaliation.

According to CPJ, Kawashima was taken into custody on January 20 by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and was moved to Evin Prison on February 23.

The press freedom organization has called for Kawashima’s immediate release along with other journalists being held for their professional activities.