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How Putin Turned Japan Into a Den of Spies
The New York Times • • general
Key Points:
- After the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, Western countries expelled Russian spies and blacklisted Kremlin-linked companies to hinder Russia's intelligence and military supply chains.
- Many of these expelled Russian spies have relocated to Japan, exploiting the country's weak espionage laws and advanced high-tech industry.
- Japan is critical to Russia's war effort, with an estimated 90% of Russian missiles and drones containing Japanese components.
- The 20th Directorate, a secretive Russian military intelligence unit, operates in Tokyo under diplomatic or business covers to acquire and smuggle battlefield technology to Russia.
- The head of this operation in Tokyo uses a cover identity as a Russian state airline employee and plays a key role in supporting Russia's military capabilities.
