Japan Press Weekly

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2013 November 6 - 12 [POLITICS]

Japan shows no intent to criticize US tapping

Regarding the U.S. National Security Agency’s reported secret tapping of Japanese government offices, Japanese Communist Party Lower House member Akamine Seiken on November 5 urged government officials to express its protest to the U.S. administration.

In response to Akamine’s demand at a House special committee on national security, Chief Cabinet Secretary Suga Yoshihide said, “We have properly communicated with the U.S.,” indicating the Abe Cabinet’s lack of willingness to send any criticism to the U.S. side.

Facing protests raised by countries such as other Asian nations and Germany, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry admitted that the NSA spying has “reached too far,” Akamine pointed out, criticizing the government for not even making an attempt to investigate.

The JCP representative cited U.S. official documents showing that the U.S. has installed the “Echelon” information interception system at the U.S. Misawa Air Base in Aomori Prefecture. He stressed, “This poses significant risks affecting Japan’s sovereignty.”

Suga stated in response, “To strengthen cooperation with our ally is very important.”

The New York Times has reported that agencies of friendly nations of the U.S., including Japan, were also secretly tapped by the NSA on a daily basis.