Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae (高市早苗) said there was no such fact regarding the detention of a male reporter for Hokkaido Shimbun by Russian authorities on suspicion of espionage, and indicated that she would convey the Japanese government's position.
The prime minister expressed the view that the allegation that Russian authorities had detained a Hokkaido Shimbun reporter on suspicion of espionage was unfounded, and said that, after explaining the details of the allegation, which remain unclear, she would firmly convey Japan's position.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Kihara Minoru (木原稔) said that the government had not been able to contact the detained reporter, and that it would prioritize arranging a consular visit as soon as possible and confirming his health as it continued to respond to the situation. He indicated that the government would continue making representations to the Russian side.
Liberal Democratic Party Policy Research Council Chair Kobayashi Takayuki (小林鷹之) expressed his intention to strongly protest the detention as "wholly unacceptable" and urged the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to persistently seek his release as soon as possible.
A delegation from China's Heilongjiang Province strongly criticized Japan's territorial claim in connection with the visit to the Northern Territories and Iturup Island, while indicating its intention to work with the government to support the protection of Japanese nationals and the preservation of Japan's territorial integrity.