Friday, October 2, 2015

Japaese Citizens Acused of Spying on China

China Arrests Two Japanese Citizens for Alleged Spying http://www.wsj.com/articles/china-arrests-two-japanese-citizens-for-alleged-spying-1443601394

Two private Japanese citizens have been arrested in China for conducting spy like activities. This is not the first time China has arrested people going off limited amount of information, claiming individuals to be spyong on their country. This not the first time that China has detained individuals on suspicion of conducting espionage like activities.With those instances the accused were released with in a week to ten days after being arrested and found there was nothing suspicious going on. In this situation that does not seem to be the case; China claims that they just arrested they two people just the other day. While Japan on the other hand claims they have been detained since May. These are two very different stories, its hard to determine who is telling the truth.

Regardless of the actually time frame this activity raises some eye brows especially when looking at the other activity going on in the area between these two powerful states. There have been some heightened tense between the two countries as both as in disagreement over some small islands they both say they have claims to. Just a few weeks ago Japan got clearance from their government to expand their military power and the Navy's ability to venture out for the first time since WWII. On the other side China a few weeks ago had a parade showing off their military strength. And now this, one can only speculate what is going on. A fair judgement to make from these turn of events would be the both heads of states seem to be acting as a realist, looking out for their own self interest.

A side note to add to this mess, the President of Japan has recently made a comment saying they would like to strengthen their relations with China. Words mean one thing but actions mean another.

Alex Benson

No comments: