Japan: One National Released From Iran Detention, Another Remains

Tokyo – One of two Japanese nationals detained in Iran has been released and is en route back to Japan, Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi announced Sunday. The individual, who had been held since 2025, arrived in Japan on Sunday and is reported to be in good health, according to the Foreign Ministry.

Motegi, speaking on a Fuji Television talk display, stated the release occurred on Wednesday following “repeated demands” made to Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. He confirmed that a second Japanese national, arrested earlier this year, remains in Iranian custody and that efforts are underway to secure their release. Motegi added he is in communication with the detainee’s family and other concerned parties.

While Motegi did not disclose the identity of either individual, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has identified the detainee arrested in January as a journalist working for Japan’s public broadcaster NHK. The NHK journalist was reportedly arrested by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps on January 20 and transferred to Evin Prison on February 23, with sources cited by the CPJ expressing concerns about potential persecution.

The Foreign Ministry had previously confirmed that both detainees were safe and in good health, but offered no details regarding a potential connection between the two cases. The released individual reportedly flew from Azerbaijan before arriving in Japan.

Motegi also hinted at the possibility of Japan dispatching Self-Defense Forces for minesweeping operations in the Strait of Hormuz, should a cease-fire be established in the ongoing conflict involving Iran, the United States, and Israel. He noted Japan’s advanced minesweeping technology and referenced discussions with U.S. President Donald Trump regarding Japan’s legal limitations on deploying defense forces to the region.