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Japan demands release of national in talks with Lavrov

The talks in Atlanta were the first formal meeting of the two foreign ministers in five years; Russia called it a brief chat at Japan's request.

On air: Gloria Vance and Kenji Moonfield on BBN After Hours
Published 4:48 AM ET, Saturday, October 31, 2026

At a glance

First reported by Japan Today: “Japan demands release of national in meeting with Russia's Lavrov”, with reporting from Reuters (via KFGO), Reuters (via Yahoo News), Kuwait Times (citing Japan's foreign ministry) and Kuwait Times.
Covered on BBN on Saturday, October 31, 2026, at 4:48 AM ET on BBN After Hours, by Gloria Vance and Kenji Moonfield.
Topics: Japan.
BBN covered this story before: US, South Korea, Japan urge North Korea to fully denuclearise (October 31).

The reporting behind this segment. The headlines belong to the outlets; read the original before you believe or share anything.

Japan TodayJapan demands release of national in meeting with Russia's Lavrov
Reuters (via KFGO)Japan demands release of national in meeting with Russia’s Lavrov October 30, 2026 · facts used on air
Reuters (via Yahoo News)Japan demands release of national in meeting with Russia's Lavrov October 30, 2026 · facts used on air
Kuwait Times (citing Japan's foreign ministry)Japan urges Russia to free detained journalist in rare ministers’ meeting October 31, 2026 · facts used on air
Kuwait TimesJapan urges Russia to free detained journalist in rare ministers’ meeting October 31, 2026 · facts used on air

Gloria Vance · World News AnchorIn Atlanta on Friday, Japan's foreign minister, Toshimitsu Motegi, met Russia's Sergei Lavrov on the sidelines of a G20 meeting and demanded the immediate release of a Japanese national detained in Sakhalin Oblast.
Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentHow long since those two last talked?
Gloria Vance · World News AnchorJapan's foreign ministry says it was September twenty twenty-one, in New York. This was the first formal face-to-face in five years.
Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentFive years. That's a message left on read since before most of the people in this building had a podcast.
Gloria Vance · World News AnchorRussia's Foreign Ministry called it a brief talk held at Japan's request, and said resuming full dialogue requires Tokyo to give up unfriendly policies.
Gloria Vance · World News AnchorJapan, meanwhile, still buys Russian liquefied natural gas.
Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentSo they're not speaking, but the heating's on.
Gloria Vance · World News AnchorJapan's embassy says the ministers will keep communication open, even amid a severe situation.
Gloria Vance · World News AnchorFive years of silence, and the first thing said was a demand. Even I would have opened with hello.