Japan Upper House Passes Bill Reorganizing Intelligence Office into Two New Bodies

Japan's upper house passed legislation in May establishing the country's first centralized intelligence agency since World War II. The law converts the Cabinet Intelligence and Research Office into a National Intelligence Council for analysis and a National Intelligence Bureau for operations. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi called the measure “a first step” toward stronger espionage capabilities.

Japanese officials have privately sought advice on technology, staffing and priorities from the United States, Australia and Germany in recent months. The New York Times reported that dozens of Russian spies have moved to Japan in recent years to acquire weapon components and evade sanctions. Japan currently lacks an anti-espionage law, making prosecution of suspected foreign agents difficult.

Ken Kotani, professor at Nihon University, said Japan needs to collect intelligence independently rather than rely on U.S. support. Sanshiro Hosaka, a research fellow at the International Centre for Defence and Security, said the reform seeks to reduce interagency barriers and better meet policymakers’ requirements.

The legislation does not itself create significant new intelligence collection or counterintelligence powers, Hosaka said. Japan’s post-war constitution and memories of wartime surveillance have long limited domestic intelligence powers. A Jiji opinion poll in April found 19 percent opposed the bill, 40 percent indifferent and the remainder in favor.