Japan’s Secrecy Law Takes Effect as Abe Seeks Fair Vote Coverage
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An unpopular law granting Japan’s government wider powers to declare state secrets takes effect today as the country’s election campaign draws to a close, potentially giving Prime Minister Shinzo Abe greater leeway to control the media.
Under the act, people can be jailed for as long as 10 years for leaking state-designated secrets on matters from foreign affairs to defense and counter-terrorism. While the government says the law will help Japan share information with other nations including military ally the U.S., legal and newspaper groups say it is vague and may suppress press freedom.