UK BANNED Press TV: Japan Defense Minister
Itsunori Onodera says reports of the US spying on Tokyo -- if proved to
be true -- could hurt the ties between the two countries.
Onodera made the remarks two days after The New York Times
reported that US National Security Agency (NSA) has spied on Japan,
adding that the NSA had used its surveillance powers to achieve economic
advantage on Japan, Brazil and a number of other nations.
On Tuesday, Onodera voiced serious concern about reports stating
that the US has been collecting important data in Japan through illegal
interception.
“So far these are only press reports,” the minister told
journalists in Tokyo, adding, “But I do not think such actions are
desirable as they are eroding trust between friendly states, including
allies.”
Earlier, an unnamed US source confirmed that electronic espionage in
Japan had been conducted through the American Embassy premises in Tokyo
and US military bases in Japan.
The NSA was also said to have been bugging the Japanese Embassy in Washington.