Overview
- Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara said Monday the released citizen returned to Japan in good health after departing Iran via Azerbaijan.
- Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi said the release followed his strong appeals to Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, and he confirmed the second Japanese national remains in custody with health and safety verified.
- Reports indicate the remaining detainee may be NHK’s Tehran bureau chief detained on Jan. 20, though the government has not confirmed the person’s identity.
- Araghchi told Kyodo News that Iran stands ready to facilitate Japanese ship transits through the Strait of Hormuz and stated the waterway remains open.
- Motegi said Japan could consider Self-Defense Forces minesweeping in the strait if a ceasefire takes hold, and ruling party policy chief Takayuki Kobayashi urged Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi to pursue top-level talks with Tehran.