TOKYO: The Japanese government has ordered a veteran freelance journalist to surrender his passport to prevent him from going on a reporting trip to Yemen.
The decision came amid debate in Japan about whether journalists should be prevented from going to war zones after the capture and release of a Japanese reporter in Syria last year.
Kosuke Tsuneoka, 49, told local media that immigration officers stopped him at Tokyo’s Haneda airport on Feb. 2, citing an order for him to surrender his passport.
Foreign Minister Taro Kono said Tuesday the government issued the order to “a male Japanese national” at Haneda airport.
When asked whether the action violated Tsuneoka’s right to travel, Kono said the journalist had the right to legal recourse.
“I wish to express my utmost respect to journalists who are reporting in dangerous places,” Kono said, while declining to disclose other details.
Tsuneoka was about to leave for the war-torn nation via Qatar and Sudan.
The rare step came amid mixed views in Japan over people taking risks with their safety after shock killings and kidnappings of journalists and other Japanese nationals in Middle East.
Tsuneoka was not available for immediate comment but has discussed his ordeal with Japanese media.
He said he planned to cover humanitarian and relief programs in Yemen, where militia have been at war with government forces backed since 2015 by a Saudi-led coalition.
Tsuneoka attempted to visit the war-torn nation in January, but was stopped in Oman and deported, according to Japanese media.
The latest decision came after the release in October of another freelance journalist, Jumpei Yasuda, who was held in Syria for more than three years.
In 2015, Tokyo also confiscated the passport of photographer Yuichi Sugimoto, who planned to travel to Syria.
That decision followed the execution of two Japanese citizens — war correspondent Kenji Goto and his acquaintance Haruna Yukawa — by extremists in Syria.
Sugimoto later received a new passport, which specifically barred him from travel to Syria and Iraq.
Japan stops journalist going to Yemen
Japan stops journalist going to Yemen
- The decision came amid debate in Japan about whether journalists should be prevented from going to war zones
- He said he planned to cover humanitarian and relief programs in Yemen
DCO and Arab News agree to exchange expertise in media and AI
KUWAIT CITY: The Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO) and the international Saudi newspaper Arab News have signed a Letter of Engagement aimed at strengthening knowledge and expertise exchange on the impact of artificial intelligence in the media sector, as well as leveraging expert insights to develop best practices to combat online misinformation amid accelerating technological advancements.
DCO said this step aligned with its efforts to strengthen collaboration with international media institutions to support responsible dialogue around digital transformation and contribute to building a more reliable, inclusive, and sustainable digital media environment.
Commenting on the agreement, Deemah AlYahya, Secretary-General of the Digital Cooperation Organization, said: “At a moment when AI is reshaping how truth is produced, distributed, and trusted, partnership with credible media institutions is essential.”
She added that “working with Arab News allows us to bridge technology and journalism in a way that protects integrity, strengthens public trust, and elevates responsible innovation. This collaboration is about equipping media ecosystems with the tools, insight, and ethical grounding needed to navigate AI’s impact, while ensuring digital transformation serves people and their prosperity.”
Faisal J. Abbas, Editor-in-Chief of Arab News, emphasized that the partnership enhances media institutions’ ability to keep pace with technological shifts, noting that engagement with representatives of DCO Member States enables deeper understanding of emerging technologies and regulatory developments in the digital space.
He added: “DCO’s commitment to initiatives addressing online content integrity reflects a clear dedication to supporting a responsible digital environment that serves societies and strengthens trust in the digital ecosystem.”
The Letter of agreement was signed on the sidelines of the Fifth DCO General Assembly held in Kuwait City under the theme “Inclusive Prosperity in the Age of AI”, alongside the second edition of the International Digital Cooperation Forum, held from 4–5 February, which brought together ministers, policymakers, business leaders, entrepreneurs, and civil society representatives from more than 60 countries to strengthen international cooperation toward a human-centric, inclusive, and sustainable digital economy.
