Belarusian security forces have detained a Japanese man who they say is an intelligence agent who observed border areas and military installations, local media reported on September 4. Belarusian state TV channel Belarus 1 reported the arrest and said it would provide more details on September 5. Belarusian media said he was suspected of gathering intelligence on social and economic conditions in Belarus, the implementation of China's Belt and Road initiative, and the situation along Belarus's border with Ukraine. The man introduces himself in the video as Nakamishi Masatushi. A man with that name is listed on Homel State University's website and is identified as a Japanese language teacher.
Belarusian TV Says Japanese Man Detained While Collecting Information Near Border
A screen grab from the the Belarus 1 TV channel showing a Japanese man whom security forces say they detained.