Key Points
- Released detainee was held since last year and is now returning home
- Second Japanese national remains in custody
- Tokyo continues diplomatic engagement to secure the final release
ISLAMABAD: Japan’s Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi said Iran has released one of the two Japanese nationals Iran had detained, and the released individual is now en route back to Japan.
Motegi announced during a television programme on Sunday, saying the released detainee had been held since last year and was freed on Wednesday before departing Iran.
One released, one still detained
According to the minister, the released Japanese national, whose identity has not been made public, booked a flight from Azerbaijan to Tokyo and is expected to arrive in Japan on Sunday (later today).
Motegi noted that another Japanese national remains in Iranian custody after being detained earlier this year.
Tokyo’s persistent diplomatic push
Japan’s government has been actively engaging with Iranian officials since the detentions, urging their swift release through diplomatic channels.
The Foreign Ministry has also maintained contact with the family of the still-detained national and has repeatedly called for humanitarian consideration in handling the cases.
The incident comes against the backdrop of broader tensions in the region, where detentions of foreign nationals have become a flashpoint and have prompted concerns about the safety of expatriates and journalists amid ongoing geopolitical frictions.
International dimension and safety concerns
Human rights and press freedom groups have highlighted the case of the second detainee, reported by some watchdogs to be a journalist with Japan’s public broadcaster.
He was arrested in January by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and transferred to Evin Prison.
The Japanese government has not publicly confirmed specific details of the individuals, citing privacy and security reasons.
However, the Foreign Ministry earlier said it was in regular contact with both detainees and was working to secure their safety.
Tokyo’s broader response
In recent weeks, Japan has also been monitoring risks to its citizens as regional conflicts escalate, issuing travel advisories and preparing contingency plans for evacuation where necessary.
Tokyo’s diplomatic outreach reflects its long-standing policy of engaging constructively with Tehran even as global tensions rise.
The release of one detainee offers a partial diplomatic success, but with the other national still in custody, Japan faces continuing challenges in securing their return.
The government says it will persist in its efforts through all available avenues to resolve both cases.
