Japan’s dilemma over frosty ties with Russia deepens after reporter’s arrest

AI Summary

Russia has arrested Japanese journalist Yuki Imai on suspicion of espionage, prompting an official protest from Tokyo. Analysts say Japan’s restrained response could encourage Moscow to test its neighbour’s resolve amid worsening bilateral ties.

The arrest of a Japanese journalist in Russia has finally woken Tokyo up to the fact that Moscow is playing hardball in their diplomatic relationship, and the country’s apparent unwillingness to push back with commensurate force could encourage the Kremlin to test its neighbour’s resolve, analysts say. Japan lodged an official protest with the Russian ambassador in Tokyo on Wednesday, a day after Moscow announced the arrest of Yuki Imai from the Hokkaido Shimbun Press on suspicion of espionage....