Russia Declares Japanese Diplomat Persona Non Grata Over Espionage Attempt

According to the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB), the Japanese consul was caught in Vladivostok when he tried to obtain restricted information.

"The Federal Security Service in the Primorsky Krai stopped the espionage action of the consul of the Consulate General of Japan in Vladivostok, Motoka Tatsunori. A Japanese diplomat was detained red-handed while receiving restricted information for a monetary reward about topical aspects of Russia's cooperation with one of the countries of the Asia-Pacific region, the impact of the sanctions policy of the West on the economic situation in Primorsky Krai," the FSB said.

Authorities published a video showing him during the act, in which he can be seen at a restaurant with a Russian citizen. He later admitted that he understood it was a transgression.

Moscow voiced protest to Tokyo and the diplomat was declared a persona non grata. He was ordered to leave the country in 48 hours.

"On September 26, the Minister-Counselor of the Japanese Embassy in Moscow was summoned to the Russian Foreign Ministry, and was informed that for activities incompatible with the status of a consular official and detrimental to Russia's security interests, the consul of the Japanese Consulate General in Vladivostok had been declared persona non grata and must leave the Russian Federation within 48 hours," the ministry said in a statement.

A strong protest was expressed to the Japanese side in connection with the actions of the employee of the Consulate General and a note of the corresponding content was handed over to him, the ministry added.