A Japanese journalist known for his Hong Kong coverage was denied entry into the city on Thursday, in what is believed to be a first for a reporter from Japan. He was sent back to Tokyo on Friday.
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 awhile before being interviewed for around an hour.
Ogawa said that he was made to sign a document acknowledging that he could not enter the city before being sent back to Japan. He said that the officials did not give him a clear reason for denying him entry, only telling him that he could not be granted permission to stay.Ogawa arrived at Narita Airport near Tokyo on Friday afternoon.