Friends of Japanese journalist Kubota Toru, who was detained in Myanmar, have submitted a petition for his release to Japan's foreign ministry.

Kubota was detained by security forces at a protest against military rule in Yangon on July 30. He faces charges that include violating immigration law. Security authorities claim that he entered the country with a tourist visa and filmed the rally.

Kubota's friends, including documentary producer Uchiyama Naoki, set up a website to ask for his release and collected about 50,000 signatures in a week.

They handed the petition to Japan's State Minister for Foreign Affairs Suzuki Takako on Friday.

Suzuki reportedly explained that Kubota was in good health, but that none of her ministry officials have been able to see him yet.