Japanese national detained in Iran last year has been released, Japan's foreign minister says

22 Mar 2026 • 9:48 AM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

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Japan’s Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi said Sunday that one of two Japanese nationals detained in Iran has been released and will be returning to Japan.

Motegi, speaking on a Fuji Television talk show, said the person had been detained since last year and was released on Wednesday.

He said another Japanese national who was arrested earlier this year is still in custody.

The Committee to Protect Journalists has named the detainee still in Iran as a journalist at Japan’s public broadcaster NHK.

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