Japan launches first centralized intelligence agency in 80 years

Japan has passed legislation to create a National Intelligence Council and a National Intelligence Bureau, replacing the decades‑old Cabinet Intelligence and Research Office. The new structure will centralise intelligence collection and analysis across police, foreign and defence ministries and is slated to become operational by December, with an initial budget of about $407 million. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi framed the reform as a response to heightened threats from China, Russia and North Korea and as a hedge against reduced confidence in U.S. security guarantees. Western allies—including the United States, Germany and Australia—have been consulted on the agency’s design. Experts say the fragmented system left Japan vulnerable to espionage, cyber‑attacks and foreign influence, noting the country’s lack of an anti‑espionage law. The new agency aims to improve coordination, counter foreign intelligence operations, protect critical technologies and strengthen Japan’s overall security posture.

The reform marks the most significant overhaul of Japan’s intelligence architecture since World War II, reflecting a shift toward greater autonomous capability in a complex regional security environment.