Overview
- The government formally opened the National Intelligence Bureau on Friday, July 31, upgraded from the Cabinet Intelligence and Research Office and led by Kazuya Hara with about 730 staff.
- The bureau will act as secretariat to a National Intelligence Council chaired by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and can require ministries and agencies to share information for national assessments.
- Japan designed the bureau as a coordinator rather than an overseas spy service so it has not been given authority to run foreign human-intelligence stations, recruit foreign agents, or carry out covert operations.
- The government plans to set up an expert panel this autumn to draft counterespionage bills, including an anti-espionage law and foreign agent registration, with legislation aimed for the 2027 Diet session and a separate foreign intelligence agency still under discussion.
- Opposition lawmakers, rights groups and regional critics warn the reforms risk weak oversight and privacy intrusions, while Tokyo seeks allied advice and could change how foreign partners share sensitive information with Japan.