A second Japanese national has been detained in Iran, Japan’s Foreign Ministry said and demanded the early release of both people.
The ministry confirmed the second person had been detained before the Feb 28 military strikes on Iran by the United States and Israel.
The ministry said the detainee is safe and in good health but gave no other details such as the timing of the detention or whether it is related to the detention of a Japanese journalist reported last month.
Japanese officials had confirmed the first person’s detention though they refused to give the detainee’s identity.
Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi told a parliamentary panel yesterday that officials were able to contact the two after the Feb 28 strikes and confirmed their safety.
The government is “doing everything to support them, their families and others involved,” Motegi said.
Motegi said he insisted on the importance of their protection and early release when he met with the Iranian ambassador this week.
The Committee to Protect Journalists has named the first detainee as Shinnosuke Kawashima, the Teheran bureau chief of Japanese public broadcaster NHK.
CPJ said Kawashima was arrested Jan 20 by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and was transferred Feb 23 to Evin Prison. — AP
