Japan, long considered one of the most convenient platforms for foreign intelligence activities, is radically changing its security strategy. Tokyo is proceeding to create a powerful counterintelligence system designed to respond to a sharp surge in the activity of Russian agents hunting for technologies to wage war in Ukraine.
From a "Safe Haven" to Strict Control
For a long time, Japan was perceived by intelligence agencies worldwide as an ideal place to work. Espionage here was often not classified as a criminal offense, and the country's Constitution, protecting the confidentiality of communications, effectively made official surveillance of foreign agents impossible. Authorities, remembering the trauma of state suppression after World War II, avoided creating strong intelligence services for decades. Attempts to pass strict laws, for example in 1985, failed due to mass protests by citizens.
However, the situation changed after the start of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Expelled from Europe, Russian intelligence officers have been massively transferred to Asia. According to local media, at least 120 Russian spies are currently working in Japan. Their main target is employees of technology companies whose developments are critical for the Russian war machine.
How the Russian Network Works in Tokyo
One of the key nodes of the spy network became the Tokyo office of the airline "Aeroflot." Through it, the Kremlin organized the procurement of technologies necessary for the production of weapons. The activities of an SVR officer working in a trade representative office and overseeing the collection of secret data have also been exposed. Police have already exposed an engineer from a Japanese company who was leaking trade secrets to a Russian handler.
The Russian military department is actively seeking partners among Japanese logistics companies. The scheme is simple: goods are transported to third countries, and from there to Russia. It is known that about 90% of Russian missiles and drones contain Japanese components. In addition, a plan to import aviation fuel from Japan through a network of intermediaries is being discussed.
Creating a Japanese CIA
The government of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has decided to act decisively. The parliament passed a law to create a National Intelligence Council, which will unite the operations of various departments into a single new bureau (NIB). The main news is the creation of a foreign intelligence agency, which will become the Japanese analog of the American CIA or British MI6.
The launch of the new agency is scheduled for early 2028. By the end of 2026, the government plans to introduce new laws aimed at combating foreign operatives.
"In the context of a rapidly changing security situation, there is a growing need to combat foreign information activities that threaten our national security, such as the theft of important information," said government spokesperson Minoru Kihara.
Hidden Potential
Japan was not completely defenseless. Since the 1950s, the Defense Intelligence Headquarters (DIH) has been operating, which closely cooperates with the US National Security Agency. In the center of Tokyo, in the Ministry of Defense complex, there is an inconspicuous building where about 1700 employees work. They monitor digital communication channels around the clock, reporting only to the Prime Minister. For years, the US has provided Japan with access to modern mass internet surveillance systems, which will now form the basis for a new aggressive counterintelligence policy.
