HK Denies Entry To Freelance Japanese Journalist

A Japanese journalist known for his Hong Kong coverage was denied entry into the city on Thursday, June 29, 2023, in what is believed to be a first for a reporter from Japan.

Photo Insert: Freelance journalist Yoshiaki Ogawa said he was made to wait for a while before being interviewed for around an hour. Ogawa said he was made to sign a document acknowledging that he could not enter the city.

He was sent back to Tokyo on Friday, Kathleen Benoza reported for Japan Times.

Freelance journalist Yoshiaki Ogawa, 54, attempted to enter Hong Kong after arriving by plane on Thursday evening, but he was taken to a separate room by officials right after he showed his passport.

He said he was made to wait for a while before being interviewed for around an hour. Ogawa said he was made to sign a document acknowledging that he could not enter the city.

“I’ve worked to convey things about Hong Kong to Japan, but it was not like I was going to do any (suspicious) activities in the city,” Ogawa said shortly after arriving at the airport.

“(This incident) has truly made me feel how Hong Kong has changed … this would have been unthinkable before.”

He added that he wasn’t planning to write anything about Hong Kong during his visit and that denying him entry may have been a misstep by officials, since it led to media reports highlighting the situation in the city.

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