Russian swam 25 km to seek asylum in Japan, but was refused

Until the authorities deport him, the newspaper notes. He was released from the migrant detention center while his case was being considered.

In an interview with the publication, the Russian told how he got to the country. He claims to have sailed to Japan from Kunashir Island in mid-August this year. The distance between Kunashir and the Japanese island of Hokkaido, where the refugee stayed, is 25 kilometers. At the same time, the water temperature in the strait at this time of the year drops to 15 degrees. The swimmer says he was wearing a wetsuit.

He was found at the police station on the island by a local resident. At the end of August, the Russian Consulate General in Sapporo announced that the Japanese side had officially notified the embassy of the detention of a Russian who had illegally entered Japan.