Japan Cannot Be a Chinese Spy Haven

このページを日本語で読む

A Chinese company president and a former employee operating a high-end restaurant in Tokyo's Roppongi district were arrested for alleged fraud. Both Chinese nationals, the pair allegedly illegally applied for and received COVID-19 countermeasure subsidies from the Japanese government. Their arrests were made by the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department's Public Security Bureau.

Normally, the 2nd Division of the Criminal Investigation Bureau investigates economic crimes such as benefit fraud. However, the Public Security Bureau is in charge of the case. Its Foreign Affairs Division is responsible for cases related to intelligence activities conducted by foreign organizations, international terrorism, illegal exports of strategic materials, and illegal residence.

The two men were arrested on suspicion of fraudulently receiving approximately ¥3.75 million JPY (about $25,000 USD) from the Japanese government. They falsely claimed the former employee in question was on leave from work. However, in fact, he was still working while applying for benefits 13 separate times. Police believe that the company also had several other employees submit false applications. The total amount of fraudulent benefits the company received possibly reached ¥300 million ($2 million ).

Bigger Suspicions Raised

Reportedly, the company president had also worked as a third secretary at the Chinese embassy in Tokyo. Additionally, the restaurant’s website contains the following statement: "Our establishment is frequented by Japanese political and business leaders, including past prime ministers, Chinese Embassy staff and others."

In 2023, the Ministry of Public Security also searched the building housing a general incorporated association (ippan shadan hojin) that claimed to promote exchanges between people of Chinese origin and Japanese companies. Two Chinese nationals, allegedly former executives of the association, were referred to prosecutors on suspicion of fraud the following year. (However, no charges were filed.)

The Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department's Public Security Department searched this building in Tokyo's Chiyoda ward in May 2023. It was believed to be the home to one of China's "overseas police stations." The business there at the time has moved, and the owner of the building has also changed. (@Sankei by Masanori Hashimoto)

Safeguard Defenders' Analysis

Safeguard Defenders, a Spanish NGO that has documented covert overseas Chinese police stations, identified this same building as one of the "overseas police bases" the Chinese government has established in various countries around the world.

According to Safeguard Defenders, there are more than 100 such overseas Chinese police stations in 50 nations worldwide. They are reported to conduct a variety of police activities. Among them are covert activities, such as monitoring the political activities of Chinese nationals living overseas and forcing some of them to return to China. Several countries have uncovered and ordered them to close, including the United States, Germany, and the Netherlands.

Time for an Espionage Law

Japan does not have laws that directly regulate such espionage activities. Therefore, Japanese authorities have no choice but to use criminal investigations, such as fraud, covered by the current Criminal Code to expose these groups and their activities.

For example, a person indicted in 2024 had been a "diplomatic adviser and diplomatic secretary" in the office of a Liberal Democratic Party member of the House of Councillors for a time. Hopefully, the background to the current fraud case will be thoroughly investigated.

At the same time, there should be no delay in establishing an "Espionage Prevention Law." Such legislation was submitted as a private member's bill in 1985. However, it was scrapped in the same year.

Japan cannot afford to go on being a paradise for spies forever.

Author: Editorial Board, The Sankei Shimbun

このページを日本語で読む