Japan launches National Intelligence Council to boost foreign threat response

Japan has launched its first National Intelligence Council as the government moves to strengthen intelligence capabilities and prepare new counterespionage legislation.

The council, chaired by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, held its first meeting on July 31, the same day the new National Intelligence Bureau was established, Caliber.Az reports, citing Japanese media.

The bodies were created under a law enacted in May to address growing overseas security threats.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara described the move as a key step in Japan’s intelligence reforms.

"The establishment of this council marks the first step in Japan's intelligence reforms," Kihara said, adding that the new system would allow the government to make "sound decisions based on higher-quality, more timely intelligence."

The council, made up of Takaichi and nine other Cabinet members, approved future operational policies, including measures to protect sensitive information.

The National Intelligence Bureau will coordinate intelligence collected by agencies including the National Police Agency, the Foreign Ministry and the Defence Ministry, while having the authority to request information sharing.

The bureau replaces the Cabinet Intelligence and Research Office and will operate with around 730 staff. Kazuya Hara, a former director of Cabinet intelligence, was appointed its first head.

The government plans to establish an expert panel by autumn to consider counterespionage legislation, including possible measures to register foreign government agents and create a dedicated foreign intelligence agency.

By Aghakazim Guliyev