Japan voices regret over sentencing of US-Iranian journalist

Tokyo: Japan on Monday voiced its disappointment over Iran's jailing of a US-Iranian journalist accused of spying for the United States.

An Iranian revolutionary on Sunday sentenced Roxana Saberi to eight years imprisonment on charges of espionage.

"I regret such an outcome," said Japan's government spokesman, Takeo Kawamura.

"As for the future of the US-Iran relationship, which is showing signs of detente... I think we need to play a mediator role given that Japan has a warm relationship with Iran."