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

<p>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</p><p>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.</p><p>The newspaper, in an <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/12/world/asia/russia-spies-japan-war-drones-electronics.html">investigation</a> 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.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jul/14/japan-espionage-russia-den-of-spies">Continue reading...</a>