Japan's defence minister to investigate existence of military spy unit

Japan's Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera said Thursday he will investigate reports that the Ground Self-Defense Force (GSDF) has operated a clandestine unit responsible for covert operations overseas since the end of the Cold War. A day early Onodera denied that such a unit had been or was still in existence, but said Thursday that he will thoroughly check into the matter, but as far as he knew Japan's forces and all units therein have always operated in a lawful manner. Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga told a press briefing Thursday that he had talked with Onodera about the issue and that he was also unaware of the existence of such a unit. According to local media reports and following the Diet enacting a controversial secrecy bill and National Security Council on Tuesday and Wednesday respectively, to bolster the government's ability to keep information deemed sensitive from the public, the GSDF has been operating a clandestine, spying unit beyond the scope of the prime minister's office and defense chiefs. Onodera refuted the claims on Wednesday, but public and international concerns have already been raised as the allegations regarding Japan's covert operations overseas potentially include countries Japan is currently having diplomatic problems with.