Japan demands release of national in meeting with Russia’s Lavrov

What happened: Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi said he strongly demanded the immediate release of a Japanese journalist detained in Russia during talks with Russian Why it matters: Motegi said Japan-Russia relations are in a difficult situation and that continued communication is extremely important. Russia said resuming full dialogue requires Tokyo to drop unfriendly policies. Key numbers: Talks were held Friday on the sidelines of a Group of 20 foreign ministers' meeting. Russia detained the Hokkaido Shimbun reporter this month in the Sakhalin region on espionage allegations.

Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi said he strongly demanded the immediate release of a Japanese journalist detained in Russia during talks with Russian

Motegi said Japan-Russia relations are in a difficult situation and that continued communication is extremely important. Russia said resuming full dialogue requires Tokyo to drop unfriendly policies. Key numbers: Talks were held Friday on the sidelines of a Group of 20 foreign ministers' meeting. Russia detained the Hokkaido Shimbun reporter this month in the Sakhalin region on espionage allegations.