Japan Identifies Russian Intelligence Operative Posing as Ukrainian

In Japan, an employee of Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service was exposed after operating undercover while posing as a Ukrainian citizen.

Japanese broadcaster NHK reported on this.

According to the report, Tokyo police have submitted case materials to prosecutors regarding a former employee of Russia’s trade mission in Japan, suspected of violating Japan’s unfair competition law.

The suspect is a Russian citizen in his early 30s who left Japan and returned to Russia in March last year.

Investigators claim he obtained verbal information about new industrial developments on at least two occasions: in November 2024 and February 2025.

The information was provided by an employee of a machine-tool manufacturing company in the Kanto region, which includes Tokyo and neighboring prefectures. The data was classified as a trade secret.

According to the investigation, the Russian met the company employee by chance after approaching him on a street in Kanagawa Prefecture, introduced himself as a Ukrainian, and asked for directions.

The two then remained in contact for nearly two years, meeting around ten times in restaurants and other public places. During these meetings, investigators say both restricted and publicly available information was exchanged.

A Japanese company employee reportedly received several hundred thousand yen for providing the information.

Documents related to both suspects were transferred to prosecutors on Tuesday. By that time, the company employee had already resigned.
Investigative sources did not say whether he admitted guilt. During voluntary questioning, however, he reportedly said that over time he began to suspect the Russian of possible involvement in industrial espionage but was unable to cut off contact.

Japanese police believe the former trade mission employee was linked to Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service. Earlier this month, Tokyo police summoned him for questioning, but he did not respond.

Law enforcement authorities are continuing the investigation, treating the case as part of a broader espionage operation.