Japan PM's push for counter-espionage law splits parties in snap election

TOKYO - Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's resolve to enact a counter-espionage law has become a campaign issue, dividing parties into supporters who want to protect national security and opponents concerned about threats to privacy and civil liberties.

The ruling Liberal Democratic Party led by Takaichi maintains such legislation is necessary to prevent sensitive state information from falling into the hands of foreign actors. As prime minister, she called the necessary legislative work a "pressing" issue.