Japan says it must better combat foreign spies on its soil

Japan has recognized the urgent need to bolster its defenses against foreign espionage, particularly after a New York Times report detailed Russia's alleged use of the country as a "den of spies" and a source for components vital to its war in Ukraine.

Chief government spokesman Minoru Kihara stated on July 13 that Tokyo "must address this issue with even greater rigor." He acknowledged a growing need to counter intelligence activities that threaten national security, especially in the current volatile global security environment. While declining to comment directly on the U.S. newspaper's findings, Kihara's remarks signaled a shift in Japan's approach to counterintelligence.

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We recognise that in a rapidly changing security environment, there is a growing need to counter foreign intelligence activities – such as the acquisition of critical information – that threaten Japan’s national security.

The New York Times investigation, published July 12, highlighted "weak espionage laws" that allegedly allow Moscow to exploit Japan for intelligence gathering and the procurement of dual-use technology. The report cited Ukrainian government estimates suggesting that 90 percent of Russian missiles and drones contain Japanese components. It identified Maksim Vladimirovich Filchenkov, a Russian intelligence operative reportedly working undercover at the Tokyo office of Aeroflot, as a key figure in these operations.

To combat these threats, Japan's Parliament approved legislation in 2026 that paves the way for a new national body to centralize and coordinate its previously fragmented intelligence efforts. This move signals a proactive stance by the Japanese government to enhance its national security capabilities and better protect against foreign intelligence threats.

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we must address this issue with even greater rigor.