TOKYO (AP) - Japan's Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi announced on Sunday that one of two Japanese nationals detained in Iran has been released. The released individual is expected to return to Japan after having been detained since last year.
During a talk show on Fuji Television, Motegi confirmed that the person was freed on Wednesday and had taken a flight from Azerbaijan, which was scheduled to arrive in Japan on Sunday. The Foreign Minister did not specify the identity of the released detainee, only revealing that the individual had been held in custody since 2025.
Motegi also provided an update regarding the second Japanese national, who was arrested earlier this year and remains in custody. He expressed his ongoing efforts to secure an early release for this individual as well, highlighting his communication with both the family of the detainee and other involved parties.
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has identified the second detained individual as a journalist working for Japan’s public broadcaster, NHK. According to CPJ, this journalist was arrested on January 20 by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and was later transferred to Evin Prison on February 23. The CPJ cited unidentified sources who expressed concerns about the potential persecution of the journalist.
While Motegi did not provide further details about the detainees or the circumstances surrounding their arrests, he reiterated that the Foreign Ministry had previously confirmed that both individuals were safe and in good health. The ministry acknowledged that one of the detainees was in custody since last year while the other was detained earlier in January; however, it did not clarify whether the two cases were related.
In conclusion, the situation involving the Japanese nationals detained in Iran underscores the broader issues of foreign nationals facing legal challenges in the country. The efforts by Japan's government to address these cases reflect significant diplomatic engagements aimed at securing the release of its citizens from custody.
