Japan admits growing need to counter espionage after Russian ‘den of spies’ report

AI Summary

Japan acknowledges the growing necessity to intensify counter-espionage efforts following reports that Russia has used the country as a hub for spying and procuring weapons components amid the Ukraine conflict, citing weak espionage laws as a vulnerability.

Issue must be addressed with ‘even greater rigour’, says government spokesman, after New York Times report on how it has become a spy hub for Vladimir Putin Japan has said it recognised the need to counter foreign intelligence better after the New York Times reported that Russia had turned the country into a “den of spies” and key source of weapons components. The newspaper, in an investigation published on Sunday, reported that thanks to “weak espionage laws”, Moscow was using Japan as a key hub for intelligence gathering and procurement of dual-use technology needed for its war in Ukraine. Continue reading...