According to Khabaronline, Masanao Ozaki, Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary of the Government of Japan, said at a press conference on Wednesday in Tokyo that a Japanese national has been held in Iran since last month, adding that Japan is seeking his early release.
According to Kyodo News, Ozaki declined to provide further details about the detainee’s identity, citing privacy considerations. He emphasized, however, that the Japanese government is in contact with the individual and his family and is providing the necessary support.
Uncertainty Surrounding the Detainee’s Identity
While Japanese officials have not released additional information, some unconfirmed media reports suggest that the detained individual may be affiliated with NHK, Japan’s public broadcasting organization.
According to these reports, the person allegedly in custody may be one of the broadcaster’s managers in Iran and may have been transferred to Evin Prison in Tehran. However, none of these claims have been officially confirmed by authorities in Japan or Iran, nor by the broadcaster itself.
The same reports have mentioned the name Shinnosuke Kawashima as a possible candidate, but his identity has not been officially verified, and no details have been released regarding the exact timing or reasons for the arrest.
As of the time of publication, Iranian authorities have not issued an official statement on the case, and NHK has not responded to media requests for comment.