The main ally of the United States in the Pacific, Japan, may become a major drawback in the regional defense of the United States, writes National Interest.
The publication notes that Tokyo can be called Washington's main Asian ally, representing a counterweight and deterrent to China.
"Unfortunately, Japan has a notorious reputation as a spy haven. The government cannot protect military secrets and therefore presides over an environment in which foreign agents operate relatively freely," the material says. This was due to the lack of a strict law against espionage.
The publication added that in the event of a conflict between the US and China over Taiwan, Japan would become a weak point in American defense capabilities.
“The ongoing foreign intelligence operations in Japan and the lack of significant consequences demonstrate the serious need for reform and the establishment of a comprehensive legal framework to protect Japanese state secrets. This is further aggravated by the fact that Japanese government agencies and private corporations that handle state secrets do not train counterintelligence and security specialists,“ the text states.
At a meeting of defense ministers in late March, Japan and the United States confirmed their intention to actively cooperate to strengthen defense and deterrence capabilities, as well as to increase their presence in the southwestern part of the Japanese archipelago in the context of China's increased military actions in the East China Sea.
Foreign Policy previously wrote that Japan is increasingly doubting the reliability of the alliance with the United States, despite Washington's assurances of commitment to the strategic partnership.