Japan's defence chief urges full leak probe

0 Comments | AFP, August, 2007

TOKYO (AFP) — Japan's new defence minister called Tuesday for a thorough probe into the leak of secret data on the US-developed Aegis combat system, as police launched new raids at a naval base and on military homes.

The Aegis system -- seen as a top line of defence against a potential North Korean attack -- has cutting-edge radar and can launch missiles at more than 10 targets at one time.

The United States, Japan's main ally, has voiced concern over the leak of data, which involved a Japanese naval officer whose wife is Chinese.

"The defence ministry will proceed with an investigation," said Defence Minister Masahiko Komura, who took office Monday in a cabinet reshuffle by beleaguered Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

"By finding out why it occurred, we...