The bureau chief of Japanese public broadcaster NHK World, Kawashima Shinnosuke, has been arrested in Iran, two sources told Radio Farda, the Iranian service of Radio Liberty.
It is unclear when he was detained and what charges he faces, although the sources said he was taken to Evin Prison on 23 February.
According to an interlocutor, Kawashima is being held in Evin’s Ward 7, where political prisoners are usually held.
NHK has not yet responded to Radio Farda’s request for comment. Iranian officials have also not officially announced the arrest of Kawashima, who previously served as NHK’s Jakarta bureau chief.
NHK is Japan’s social broadcaster that provides news and information about Japan and Asia on television, radio and online platforms to a global audience.
Kawashima’s arrest comes weeks after authorities killed thousands of people during an unprecedented crackdown on mass protests calling for the overthrow of Iran’s clerical regime.
As part of the crackdown, tens of thousands of people, including journalists and human rights activists, have been arrested across the country in recent weeks.