Belarusian state television reported that a Japanese national has been detained for gathering information near the country's border with Ukraine and engaging in other activities.

The TV station run by Belarus, an ally of Russia, reported on Wednesday that authorities had detained a Japanese intelligence agent. It said that the man had gathered information near the border and filmed military facilities.

The Japanese Embassy in Belarus told NHK on Wednesday that a Japanese man in his 50s was confirmed to have been detained on July 9 for allegedly violating Belarusian law.

The embassy said it is providing support through meetings and other means but declined to disclose the man's name, his job or whether he has admitted to the charges because the matter is still under investigation.

Belarusian state TV aired footage of the purported detainee identifying himself as "Nakanishi Masatoshi."

The channel said it will broadcast a special program on Thursday titled "Samurai Failure from Tokyo."

Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Hayashi Yoshimasa told reporters in Tokyo on Thursday that the government has confirmed a Japanese man in his 50s was detained by authorities in Belarus for alleged violation of the country's law.

He said the Japanese consul has met the man from the standpoint of protecting Japanese citizens, and the government has been providing as much support as possible, including contacting the man's associates.

He said the man has been confirmed to be in good health.

Hayashi added he will refrain from disclosing further details because the matter is currently under investigation and the information is personal.

He said the Japanese government will continue to offer maximum support.