[infowar.de] Japan military data leak wider than previously thought

[Pluto <pluto -! - stderr - de>]

<http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&taxonomyName=security&articleId=9020358&taxonomyId=17&intsrc=kc_top>

Japan military data leak wider than previously thought

Aegis shield data allegedly mistaken for porn, swapped with co-worker
Martyn Williams

May 22, 2007 (IDG News Service) -- Investigators in Japan looking into 
the leak of data relating to the Aegis missile defense system have 
discovered other sensitive U.S. military information has been leaked, 
Japan's Kyodo News reported on Tuesday.

The additional data includes "the highest level of information" relating 
to sea-based Standard Missile-3 interceptors and the Link 16 system, 
which is used to exchange reconnaissance satellite data between Japan 
and the U.S., Kyodo said, quoting "informed sources."

The revelation that additional information has fallen into the hands of 
those that shouldn't have it will likely cause further embarrassment for 
Japan and could affect the deployment of U.S. military hardware in the 
country and Japan's plans to buy F-22A Raptor fighter jets. Japan is 
currently asking the U.S. to supply confidential information relating to 
the jets.

The Aegis leak first came to light in March when police were searching 
the home of a Japan Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF) officer as part 
of an immigration investigation of the officer's wife, who is Chinese. 
The officer wasn't supposed to have the data in question, including an 
educational document that concerned the radar and transmission 
frequencies of the Aegis system, triggering the investigation.

The officer said he accidentally copied the file while swapping 
pornography with another JMSDF officer, according to a report in the 
Yomiuri Shimbun newspaper. Its source was traced back to a senior grade 
lieutenant who in turn said he obtained the file from a lieutenant 
commander, according to previously published reports. The commander 
denied the claim.

On Saturday police raided a navy school in Hiroshima as part of the 
investigation and confiscated personal computers and storage devices.

To date there hasn't been any suggestion that the information leaked 
beyond the JMSDF, however the investigation is not over. As the defense 
systems in question are in use by the U.S. military, a wider leak would 
affect the U.S. and other allies.

The U.S. cooperates closely with Japan on defense matters as part of the 
Japan-U.S. Mutual Defense Assistance Agreement, which calls on the two 
countries to cooperate with each other in maintaining and developing 
their respective defense capabilities.


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