Japan to establish autonomous intelligence agency by 2028

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has initiated a strategic overhaul of Japan’s security apparatus to address growing regional instabilities. A central component of this reform is the goal to establish an autonomous intelligence agency by March 2028, modeled after the United States’ CIA.

To support this transition, Takaichi is introducing new anti-espionage laws intended to close critical security gaps that have left Japan vulnerable compared to other developed nations. The process began in July with the creation of the National Intelligence Bureau, which centralizes security and safety data from various government sectors and reports to a council chaired by the Prime Minister.

The Prime Minister cited the military expansion of China and North Korea, alongside the strengthening alliances between Moscow, Beijing, and Pyongyang, as the primary drivers for these changes. Takaichi has convened a specialized advisory group of experts to improve counter-espionage tactics and intelligence collection capabilities.