‘Den of spies’: why has Japan been easy prey for Russian espionage, and what is Tokyo doing about it?

What Happened

Japan is grappling with a significant Russian espionage presence focused on technology procurement for the war in Ukraine, according to recent reports. Nikkei Business reported in August 2022 that approximately 120 Russian intelligence officers were operating in Japan, and the Tokyo police public security bureau said in January that a Japanese machine-tool company employee had been disclosing trade secrets to a suspected SVR operative. A July 12 New York Times article detailed a Russian procurement operation run from a Tokyo Aeroflot office, calling Japan a “den of spies.” In response, the government of Sanae Takaichi is pushing a postwar intelligence overhaul: the National Intelligence Council Establishment Act passed in May creates a 700-strong National Intelligence Bureau to oversee counterintelligence, and a foreign intelligence agency is slated to begin operations by early 2028. New legislation targeting foreign operatives is expected by the end of 2026.

Key Actors

Why It Matters

The revelation that Japan has become a hub for Russian intelligence operatives procuring sensitive technology for Moscow’s war effort underscores critical vulnerabilities in Western-aligned sanctions and export controls. Japan’s historically lax anti-espionage laws, rooted in postwar civil liberties protections, have made it an attractive target. Tokyo’s forced modernization of its intelligence and counterintelligence capabilities signals a significant strategic shift, reflecting the high-stakes impact of the Ukraine conflict on security postures even among non-belligerent allies.

Watch For

The Japanese Diet is expected to propose legislation specifically targeting foreign intelligence operatives by the end of 2026. The new foreign intelligence agency is set to begin operations by early 2028. In the near term, monitor for any expulsions of Russian diplomats or operatives, further prosecutions of technology leaks, and whether the National Intelligence Bureau’s creation leads to publicized disruptions of procurement networks.