The individual launched is believed to be Japanese broadcaster NHK’s Tehran bureau chief, Shinnosuke Kawashima.
Revealed On 7 Apr 2026
A Japanese citizen has been launched on bail in Iran, based on Japan’s prime authorities spokesperson, months after their detention amid the nation’s antigovernment protests.
The Embassy of Japan in Iran confirmed on Tuesday that “a Japanese nationwide who was detained by Iranian authorities on January 20 was launched on April 6 native time,” stated authorities spokesman Minoru Kihara.
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In February, United States-funded Radio Free Europe reported that public broadcaster NHK’s Tehran bureau chief, Shinnosuke Kawashima, had been arrested in Iran and transferred to an area jail. The individual launched on Tuesday is believed to be Shinnosuke.
The person appeared to haven’t any well being points, Kihara advised a press briefing, with out offering additional particulars or revealing their identification or what costs they confronted.
Japan’s Kyodo Information reported that the person is just not allowed to depart Iran. The wire additionally reported that the individual has been charged with security-related offences and is predicted to face trial.
On the time of the Japanese nationwide’s arrest, NHK stated “there’s nothing we are able to reply at this stage” and that workers security was a prime precedence.
The Committee to Defend Journalists (CPJ) in February quoted a supply as saying that one other NHK journalist had handled Iranian authorities. The broadcaster’s longtime videographer, Mehdi Mohammedi, had his passport confiscated alongside along with his private gadgets.
One other NHK workers member – whose identification CPJ stated it was withholding for security causes – fled Iran in early February after being summoned a number of instances, the journalist rights organisation stated.
Final month, Iran launched one other Japanese citizen who was being held, and who additionally was not named, with Tokyo saying on March 22 that the individual would return to Japan.
The Japanese nationwide launched on bail on Tuesday had been arrested shortly after demonstrations erupted over the excessive value of dwelling in Iran, triggered by the worsening financial scenario following a long time of US sanctions, which in the end led to massive antigovernment protests.
The rallies have been held earlier than the US and Israeli militaries started “Operation Epic Fury” on February 28 and killed Iran’s Supreme Chief Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, triggering the current regional war.
Japan and Iran have traditionally had comparatively pleasant relations. However extra not too long ago, shut US ally Tokyo has drastically lowered its once-substantial imports of Iranian oil as a part of worldwide strain over Tehran’s nuclear actions.
On Monday, Japanese Overseas Minister Toshimitsu Motegi and his Iranian counterpart, Abbas Araghchi, held a name to debate the warfare.
