Japanese journalist Fukuda Nozomi was torn over whether to continue reporting on Hong Kong’s pro-democracy protests after his arrest by riot police in Mong Kok on August 31.

“I was afraid they might charge me again: unlawful assembly, breaching social distancing rules, disorderly conduct and so on,” he said. “The [police] now stop and search foreigners whether or not they look like tourists.”

But despite his fears and after much deliberation, Fukuda last week decided to return to work after hundreds of protesters again took to the streets of Mong Kok. He will take the precaution of working “from a safe distance,” he added.

“I’ll take my photographs from further away, and I’ll bring my binoculars. I don’t want to get in trouble and affect Japan or other journalist colleagues,” he said.

Fukuda, 36, was born in Hong Kong but lived in Japan for many years. He returned to Hong Kong in 2016, and last year became a freelance photojournalist on the side for Japanese media Zen Press.

In the first interview since his arrest, Fukuda recalled his fear of Hong Kong authorities cracking down on the foreign media, especially after the implementation of the national security law.

Fukuda was not working when stopped by riot police on the streets of Mong Kok on Aug. 31, and was arrested after he told officers he was carrying an airsoft gun in his backpack because he is a war game hobbyist.

Police told Apple Daily in a statement that Fukuda was arrested on suspicion of possessing an imitation firearm. They said Fukuda was not carrying journalistic credentials or equipment, and did not identify himself as a reporter at the time.

Fukuda had planned to use his day off work to buy war game supplies in Mong Kok, he told Apple Daily. He insisted that his airsoft gun was compliant with Hong Kong’s law, and that police gave him mixed messages during his arrest.

“One officer said that I would be released, if my airsoft gun was compliant and I promised to leave the area … I believed I could walk free on the spot, but it turned out differently,” he said.

Fukuda was released on bail and must report back to police in early October. His airsoft gun has been confiscated for at least a month, officers told him.

Fukuda wants to continue his reporting work partly in order to keep Hongkongers informed about events in their city, he said. Fukuda considers Hong Kong to be his home even though he has lived in Japan since he was a child. “It’s an important city, and a place that’s friendly towards people,” he said.

Meanwhile, another Japanese journalist said he was barred from re-entering Hong Kong nine months ago, after being arrested last year. Speaking on condition of anonymity, “Arthur” told Apple Daily that he witnessed the disproportionate use of force by Hong Kong police.

Arthur is a 40-year old Japanese photographer who was arrested on Aug. 31, 2019, during protests in Wan Chai. He was not wearing any protective gear at the time, and was returning to his hotel as clashes escalated around him.

Arthur recalled covering his face to avoid tear gas while searching for a way out of the crowd, when riot police tackled him outside Wan Chai MTR station. They struck his legs and back several times with batons and shields, he said.

He was later arrested for unlawful assembly despite telling officers that he was a Japanese national. Arthur was released on bail after 28 hours and told to report back regularly to police.

After returning to Japan in the interim, Arthur flew back to Hong Kong on Dec. 16, for his appointment with police, but was shocked when immigration officials denied him entry to the city. Arthur received no explanation from the Immigration Department and heard no updates from the Hong Kong police, he said.

In response to an inquiry from Apple Daily, police said the case against Arthur has been dropped for lack of evidence. The Immigration Department declined to comment on individual cases.

Democratic Party lawmaker Lam Cheuk-ting said the police should apologize to Arthur for an unreasonable arrest. Also, they should have returned his belongings and bail money if they were going to bar him from entering Hong Kong.

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