Japanese diplomat visits detained Hokkaido Shimbun reporter in Moscow

According to Japan's Foreign Ministry, an embassy official carried out a consular interview on Monday with a Japanese journalist detained in Russia nearly two weeks earlier. The reporter, a correspondent for the Sapporo-based Hokkaido Shimbun, was first arrested in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk on Sakhalin Island and then moved to Moscow, where the embassy confirmed he has no health problems. Russia's FSB claims the journalist was collecting information on behalf of a Japanese intelligence service, an allegation the newspaper flatly rejects.

The embassy declined to reveal what was discussed and noted that no further visits have been arranged. The journalist will also meet a lawyer chosen by the newspaper, while remaining in detention until Dec. 12 as the investigation continues. Japan has urged Russia to release the citizen promptly and to ensure humane and impartial treatment.