Shinnosuke Kawashima, the Tehran bureau chief of Japan’s public broadcaster NHK, has been arrested in Iran and reportedly transferred to the high-security Evin Prison, according to media reports.
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NHK confirmed the detention but said it could not provide further details at this time. “We at NHK always act with the safety of our staff as our top priority,” a spokesperson said, stressing concern for Kawashima’s well-being.
Japan demanded the swift release of one of its citizens detained in Iran for more than a month, a senior government official said on Wednesday.
Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Masanao Ozaki told reporters the person was detained on Jan. 20 and that the government has been in… https://t.co/qjzCgRP8On
— Iran International English (@IranIntl_En) February 25, 2026
Masanao Ozaki stated that a Japanese citizen was detained in Tehran on January 20. Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Osaki noted that the Japanese government has verified Kawashima’s detention and is actively engaging with Iranian authorities to ensure his early release.
“The Japanese government has been strongly urging the Iranian side to secure the early release of the individual concerned,” Ozaki said. He added that authorities are in contact with Kawashima, his family, and relevant parties to provide all necessary assistance.
The arrest raises concerns about press freedom and the safety of journalists operating in Iran, a nation known for detaining foreign reporters under politically sensitive circumstances. Evin Prison, where Kawashima is reportedly held, has historically housed political prisoners and journalists and has a reputation for harsh conditions.
NHK has not released information about the reasons for the detention. The Japanese government is monitoring the situation closely and is expected to continue diplomatic efforts to secure the reporter’s release.
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The development comes amid broader tensions between foreign media operations and Iranian authorities, highlighting the challenges journalists face while covering sensitive political and social issues in the country.