Japanese journalist barred from entering Hong Kong without clear reason: Report

Chinese tourists take photos of Chinese and Hong Kong flags marking the 26th anniversary of the city's handover from Britain to China in Hong Kong, on June 27, 2023. [AP Photo]

A Japanese journalist was barred from entering Hong Kong without a clear reason and was sent back to his country, a Japanese newspaper said, raising concerns over the city's shrinking press freedoms.

The Japan Times, a prominent English-language newspaper, reported Friday that a freelance journalist was taken by officials to a room after arriving at the city's airport Thursday evening. Yoshiaki Ogawa, known for his coverage in the financial hub, was later interviewed for around an hour, it said.