Friends of Japanese journalist demand his release in Myanmar

A portrait photo of Kubota is displayed during a news conference by his friends to call for his release at Japan National Press Club in Tokyo. - Reuters

TOKYO (AP): Friends of Toru Kubota, a Japanese journalist detained in military-ruled Myanmar while covering a protest, called for his immediate release and an online petition has collected more than 41,000 signatures.

The documentary filmmaker was arrested on Saturday in Yangon by plainclothes security forces while taking photos of about a dozen protesters, according to his supporters and a witness who spoke with The Associated Press on Wednesday (Aug 3).