Belarusian security forces have detained a suspected Japanese intelligence agent. He is alleged to have observed border areas and military installations of the state, Belarusian media reported on Wednesday.
The detained Japanese national was allegedly involved in gathering intelligence on social and economic conditions in Belarus. Intelligence was also allegedly gathered on other interests of national security. This includes the implementation of China’s “One Belt, One Road” initiative and the situation along Belarus’s border with Ukraine.
The reports said he was filming military infrastructure.
Japan’s embassy in Belarus confirmed the detention of a Japanese man in his 50s on July . Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi said authorities called it a breach of local laws.
The man in custody had no health issues, Hayashi said. He cited the embassy staff, while declining to comment on the reason for his detention.
U.S.-funded Radio Liberty quoted the Belarusian television report as saying the man was detained in Gomel city. They said he had displayed interest in the “broadest spheres of interest” in the country.
It said the man had previously taught Japanese at a university in the city, his wife’s home town, and organised an exhibition of Japanese culture and traditions.
Liberty quoted him as acknowledging that his activity could have been detrimental to the Belarusian state.
Belarus-Russia Ties
Belarus, led by President Alexander Lukashenko since 1994, is one of Russia’s closest allies and allowed Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin to use its territory to launch the February 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
The media reports said it was the first instance of a Japanese national being implicated in intelligence activity.
Japan has placed sanctions on Belarusian entities, such as asset freeze and export ban measures, as part of its effort to cut support for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
A German national was convicted in June of terrorism and mercenary activity in Belarus and sentenced to death. However, he was later freed as part of a mass exchange of prisoners between Russia, Belarus, the United States and other countries.
