Key facts
- Japan acknowledges a growing need to counter foreign intelligence activities.
- A New York Times report alleges Russia uses Japan for intelligence gathering and procuring weapons components.
- Ukrainian estimates suggest 90% of Russian missiles and drones contain Japanese components.
- Procurement networks reportedly use intermediary companies and third countries to bypass export restrictions.
- Japan's parliament has approved legislation to create a new national body for coordinating intelligence activities.
Japan's government has acknowledged the increasing necessity of countering foreign intelligence activities, following a report by The New York Times alleging that Russia has transformed the country into a significant hub for espionage and the procurement of crucial components for its war in Ukraine. The newspaper's investigation, published on Sunday, suggested that Russia exploits Japan's "weak espionage laws" to gather intelligence and acquire dual-use technology.
Chief government spokesperson Minoru Kihara stated on Monday that Japan recognizes the growing need to counter foreign intelligence activities that threaten national security, particularly the acquisition of critical information. While declining to comment directly on the specific report, Kihara emphasized that Tokyo must address the issue with greater rigor. He also noted that Japan's parliament recently approved legislation to establish a new national body tasked with coordinating the country's intelligence efforts.