Takaichi Addresses Privacy Concerns over Intelligence Bill

Tokyo, April 2 (Jiji Press)–Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on Thursday addressed privacy concerns regarding a bill to establish a national intelligence council aimed at enhancing the government’s intelligence capabilities. The planned council “will not unnecessarily infringe on citizens’ privacy,” Takaichi said at a House of Representatives plenary meeting, where deliberations began on the bill. Her remarks came in response to opposition parties’ criticism that the creation of such a council could lead to human rights violations and that the planned organization could be used for political purposes. The government and ruling parties aim to pass the bill during the current parliamentary session and to launch the council this summer. Strengthening intelligence capabilities is a key policy of the Takaichi administration. Also, the ruling Liberal Democratic Party and the Japan Innovation Party agreed in their coalition deal to create such a council. Along with the bill, the Takaichi administration also plans to create an espionage prevention law and establish a new foreign intelligence agency. Since the prime minister has admitted that her initiative to strengthen intelligence capabilities “could divide public opinion,” the government’s accountability will be severely questioned. “Strengthening intelligence functions is essential to prevent crises before they occur and to strategically protect the safety of citizens and national interests,” Takaichi stressed at Thursday’s meeting. She said that the bill would improve both the quality and quantity of information provided for government policies. Yuichi Goto of the opposition Centrist Reform Alliance asked about plans to expand the government’s authority, including the scope of wiretapping. The prime minister explained that the bill does not include law revisions concerning communication interception. She also said that foreign forces carrying out operations to influence elections, including spreading disinformation, would be subject to investigation and review by the national intelligence council. On the other hand, she clarified that the activities of Japanese civic groups will not be covered. According to the bill, the national intelligence council will be chaired by the prime minister and will include nine ministers. It will be established for the purpose of collecting and investigating important information that contributes to security, terrorism prevention and counterespionage. Each ministry and government agency would be obliged to provide materials and information to the council. The Cabinet Intelligence and Research Office would be upgraded to a national intelligence agency that serves as the secretariat of the planned council. The agency’s head would be at the same level as the secretary-general of the National Security Secretariat. END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]