The government is under fire for failing to protect press freedom following a Japan Times report by a British journalist revealing that the U.S. military has spied on him over his activities in Okinawa.

Reporters Without Borders, a nonprofit organization that advocates for press freedom, condemned the U.S. military and the Japanese government Sunday for allowing the surveillance of Jon Mitchell, because "it compromises its duty to guarantee media freedom."

Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said Monday the government is in no position to comment on the activities of the U.S. military, but he added that the government observes press freedom.