Former Guardian columnist Glenn Greenwald’s upcoming book revealed details of alleged US spying on Japan, Kyodo News reports.
In the book entitled “No Place to Hide: Edward Snowden, the NSA, and the US Surveillance State”, the 46-year-old Greenwald recounted the first time he met Snowden in June last year in Hong Kong, when the former US Central Intelligence Agency employee divulged to him every detail of the US’ surveillance.
According to the book, which contains previously undisclosed information, the NSA kept tabs on various entities, including the permanent mission of Japan to the United Nations in 2010 before the UN Security Council adopted a resolution on sanctions against Iran. The US hacked into the mission’s computer network to discover Japan’s policy on the resolution, Edward Snowden told Greenwald.
It was also revealed that the NSA bugged more than 50,000 computers in Japan and other countries, enabling it to see what words users typed and messages on their computer screens.
The NSA reportedly shared some information with the so-called “Five Eyes Alliance,” a “Tier A” group comprised of Britain, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the US.
Japan, Germany, Greece, Italy, South Korea and other countries belong to “Tier B,” and have been the targets of NSA espionage.
The book detailed Snowden’s brief trip to Japan as an employee of a major US computer maker in 2009 to 2011 during which time he underwent intensive training on cyberspying, allowing him to hack into foreign military and civilian computer systems.
Greenwald first broke the shocking revelations about the eavesdropping of the US government, including surveillance of embassies and diplomatic missions in the US.
The report spurred a diplomatic spectacle after Edward Snowden went on the run from US authorities. He was granted a one-year asylum by Russia in July last year.
Foreign Ministry officials and others would not comment on the book’s claims due to the sensitivity of the matter.
The Japanese edition of the book hit bookstores on Wednesday after its worldwide release Tuesday.
By Maesie Bertumen
Image: Sebra / Shutterstock.com
Edward Snowden, Glenn Greenwald, NSA, US surveillance operations
