Japan to Strengthen Counter‑Intelligence Over Russian Spy Allegations

Japanese Cabinet Secretariat Secretary Kihara Minoru said the government will tighten counter‑intelligence measures after a New York Times report claimed Russia exploited Japan’s relatively weak espionage laws to gather intelligence for its war in Ukraine. The article alleged that numerous Russian operatives were expelled and that they had entered Japan disguised as diplomats and businesspeople, using Japanese‑origin components in missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles, with some equipment routed through third‑country firms in Vietnam, Uzbekistan and Sri Lanka. Kihara acknowledged the changing security environment and stated Japan must scrutinise the issue more closely and reinforce its efforts to prevent foreign intelligence activities that threaten national security.