FOCUS: Japan Ramps Up Efforts to Enhance Intelligence Capacity

Tokyo, May 12 (Jiji Press)–The Japanese government is moving forward with efforts to strengthen its intelligence capabilities, a centerpiece of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s policy agenda. As a first step, the government plans to establish a national intelligence bureau as early as July. In addition, discussions on enhancing foreign intelligence-gathering capacities and legislation related to counterespionage are expected to take shape later this summer. Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara, the top government spokesman, has explained that the aim is to “prevent undue interference from foreign countries amid a complex and challenging international environment.” But some opposition parties have expressed concern over possible human rights violations. New Bodies In late April, the House of Representatives, the powerful lower chamber of Japan’s parliament, passed a bill to establish a national intelligence council headed by the prime minister. The body would be responsible for “important intelligence activities” contributing to the maintenance of national security and the prevention of terrorism, as well as for countering influence operations by foreign powers. A proposed national intelligence bureau, which would serve as its secretariat, would be created through an upgrading of the existing Cabinet Intelligence and Research Office. The bureau would be granted comprehensive coordination authority as a command center for intelligence agencies currently dispersed across the Foreign Ministry, the Defense Ministry, the National Police Agency and other organizations, thereby enhancing the government’s capacity to consolidate and analyze intelligence. The LDP’s Headquarters for Intelligence Strategy, headed by the party’s Policy Research Council Chairman Takayuki Kobayashi, has outlined a three-step road map for strengthening Japan’s intelligence capabilities. Regarding the second phase, following the establishment of the national intelligence bureau, the LDP panel’s recent proposals envision creating a foreign intelligence agency and establishing a foreign agents registration law that would require individuals and organizations suspected of conducting influence operations on behalf of foreign powers to report their activities. The panel also emphasized the need to “consider new legislation if necessary” to deter and crack down on espionage activities, according to its proposals submitted to Takaichi in March. The government is expected to establish a council of experts as early as this summer to work out details. The LDP plans a third phase aimed at achieving “further enhancement” of these functions. Eager Opposition Parties Ahead of the government and ruling coalition, the Democratic Party for the People and Sanseito each submitted a similar bill during last year’s extraordinary session of parliament. Both opposition parties submitted their bills again in the current parliamentary session. The DPFP proposal calls for establishing within three years a legal framework needed for a foreign agent registration system and for measures to counter cognitive warfare using false and misleading information. Sanseito’s proposals include the formulation of a basic counterintelligence policy and stricter penalties for leaking information to foreign governments and other entities. The Conservative Party of Japan also pledged necessary legislation in its campaign for the Lower House election held in February. The party has secured a promise from the LDP to jointly discuss the content of a related bill in exchange for supporting the government’s fiscal 2026 draft budget. Disappearance of “Spy Prevention” In response to moves to establish such counterespionage legislation, other opposition parties have raised protests. The Japanese Communist Party has criticized them as attempts to “surveil citizens and violate fundamental human rights,” while the Social Democratic Party condemns the proposed legislation as “a modern-day version of the peace preservation law” that was in place before and during World War II. The current plans may be reminiscent of a bill submitted by the LDP in 1985 to prohibit the detection and collection of “state secrets” and their transmission to foreign countries. With a maximum penalty of death, the bill drew opposition as a threat to freedom of speech and the press, and was eventually scrapped. Even within the LDP, concerns have been raised about the repressive image associated with the term “spy prevention.” Some members expressed the view that “it is not good to allow the phrase ‘spy prevention law’ to be bandied about without clearly defining it.” The ruling coalition agreement between the LDP and the Japan Innovation Party contains the wording “intelligence and spy prevention-related legislation.” A proposal handed to the prime minister by the LDP’s Kobayashi and others in March, however, avoided using “spy prevention” in listing items up for debate and instead adopted “counterintelligence” in its place. Regarding the proposed legal framework, Kihara emphasized that “it goes without saying we must give full consideration to the rights of the people guaranteed under the Constitution.” Nevertheless, the LDP has held a series of hearings with proponents of counterintelligence legislation, while talks with those who are cautious have been less prominent. Going forward, a key focus of discussions will likely be how to strike a balance with the fundamental rights of the people. END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]