Updated by Faith Barbara N Ruhinda at 1236 EAT on Tuesday 7 April 2026

A Japanese national has been released on bail in Iran, Japan’s top government spokesperson has said, months after the individual was detained amid the country’s anti-government protests.

The Japanese Embassy in Iran confirmed on Tuesday that “a Japanese national who was detained by Iranian authorities on January 20 was released on April 6, local time,” government spokesperson Minoru Kihara said.

In February, US-funded Radio Free Europe reported that NHK’s Tehran bureau chief, Shinnosuke Kawashima, had been arrested in Iran and taken to a local prison. The person released on Tuesday is believed to be Kawashima.

Government spokesperson Minoru Kihara told a press briefing that the individual appeared to be in good health but declined to provide further details, including their identity or the charges they face.

According to Japan’s Kyodo News, the individual is not allowed to leave Iran. The outlet also reported that the person has been charged with security-related offences and is expected to stand trial.
When the arrest occurred, NHK said it could not comment and stressed that ensuring the safety of its staff was its top priority

In February, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) reported that another NHK journalist had been in contact with Iranian authorities. The broadcaster’s longtime videographer, Mehdi Mohammedi, had his passport and personal devices confiscated.

CPJ also said that another NHK staff member—whose identity it withheld for safety reasons—fled Iran in early February after being summoned multiple times by authorities.

The Japanese national released on bail on Tuesday was arrested shortly after demonstrations erupted in Iran over the rising cost of living, driven by the country’s worsening economic situation following decades of US sanctions. The protests eventually escalated into large-scale antigovernment rallies.

The demonstrations took place prior to the start of “Operation Epic Fury” on February 28, during which US and Israeli forces reportedly killed Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, sparking the ongoing regional conflict.

Japan and Iran have historically maintained relatively friendly relations. However, Tokyo, a close US ally, has recently scaled back its once-substantial imports of Iranian oil in line with international pressure over Tehran’s nuclear activities.

On Monday, Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi spoke with his Iranian counterpart, Abbas Araghchi, in a call focused on the regional war.

-Aljazeera

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