Through foreign reactions to Minister Akari’s resignation and sarcastic posts on China’s Weibo, this essay exposes Japan’s vulnerability as a “heaven for spies.” Lacking an equivalent to the CIA, Japan remains dangerously defenseless against foreign intelligence operations.

Unlike most countries around the world, Japan does not have a CIA. Therefore, it is no exaggeration to say that spies from every nation are free to do as they please.
January 30, 2016.

In yesterday’s Sankei Shimbun, I came across a reference to China’s short-form social media site, “Weibo,” for the first time in a long while.

It appeared in a small boxed article on page three, within a report on how various countries were reacting to the resignation of Minister Amari.

The emphasis within the text is mine.

“Beijing, Seoul, London = Kyodo.” China’s state-run Xinhua News Agency (English edition) reported on the 28th that Economic Revitalization Minister Akira Amari had acknowledged receiving cash and announced his resignation, also noting that he had been the chief negotiator for the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). China Central Television likewise reported it together with footage of the press conference, demonstrating the high level of interest.

Meanwhile, on the short-form posting site “Weibo,” a series of ironic comments appeared, such as: “He’s resigning over a bribe of one million yen?” “In China, far larger sums wouldn’t even be a problem. Is this the difference in national character?” and “His skin is too thin.”

South Korea’s Yonhap News Agency reported that “a close minister to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has made a disgraceful resignation over corruption allegations, and the administration is expected to take a blow.”

Omitted thereafter.

If, hypothetically, this incident had been orchestrated by the Chinese or South Korean CIA, then reading the above article on their reactions would itself be nothing less than the reality of a political thriller. Such speculation cannot be dismissed as unrealistic in the least, for Japan must surely be a paradise for spies.

Above all, unlike most countries around the world, Japan does not possess a CIA. Therefore, it would not be an exaggeration to say that spies from every nation are free to do whatever they want.

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