, News.Az reports.
Japan is establishing its first centralised intelligence agency since the end of World War II as part of a broader effort to strengthen national security amid rising geopolitical tensions in East Asia, News.Az reports.
The new body is expected to improve coordination between government agencies, enhance intelligence gathering and help counter threats ranging from espionage to cyberattacks and foreign interference.
What is Japan planning to create?
The Japanese government is setting up a new centralised intelligence agency designed to coordinate intelligence collection and analysis across multiple ministries and security institutions.
Unlike Japan’s current system, where intelligence responsibilities are divided among several agencies, the new organisation will serve as a central hub for collecting, analysing and sharing information related to national security.
Why is Japan creating a new intelligence agency now?
The move comes as Japan faces an increasingly complex security environment.
Tokyo is seeking to improve its ability to detect and respond to espionage, cyberattacks, foreign influence operations and other threats that have become more sophisticated in recent years.
The government also wants to ensure faster intelligence sharing and more coordinated responses during national security crises.
What security threats is Japan trying to address?
The new agency is expected to focus on a wide range of threats, including:
Foreign espionage.
Cyberattacks targeting government and critical infrastructure.
Foreign interference in politics and society.
Economic security risks, including technology theft.
Disinformation and influence campaigns.
Regional military developments affecting Japan’s security.
Why does Japan need a centralised intelligence system?
Japan’s intelligence responsibilities are currently spread across multiple organisations, including the Cabinet Intelligence and Research Office, the National Police Agency, the Ministry of Defense and other government bodies.
While these agencies already cooperate, experts have long argued that a lack of central coordination can slow information sharing and strategic decision-making.
The new agency is intended to provide a unified picture of security threats and improve policy coordination.
Why is this considered Japan’s first centralised intelligence agency since World War II?
Following Japan’s defeat in World War II, the country adopted a political and legal framework that limited the concentration of intelligence and security powers.
Unlike countries such as the United States or the United Kingdom, Japan never created a single intelligence service responsible for coordinating national intelligence.
Instead, intelligence functions remained fragmented among different government institutions.
The planned agency represents the most significant effort in decades to centralise these capabilities.
Is this connected to regional tensions?
Yes. Japan’s changing security environment has played a major role in the decision.
Tokyo has become increasingly concerned about military developments in the Indo-Pacific, North Korea’s missile and nuclear programmes, China’s expanding military capabilities, cyber threats and broader geopolitical competition in the region.
These challenges have prompted Japan to modernise its defence and intelligence systems.
Will the agency conduct overseas intelligence operations?
The exact structure and operational powers of the new organisation have not yet been fully disclosed.
However, its primary role is expected to focus on coordinating intelligence analysis, strengthening counterintelligence efforts and improving cooperation between domestic security institutions rather than creating an overseas intelligence service similar to the CIA or MI6.
How does this fit into Japan’s broader defence reforms?
The intelligence overhaul forms part of Japan’s wider national security strategy.
In recent years, Tokyo has increased defence spending, strengthened cyber defence capabilities, expanded cooperation with allies such as the United States and updated its national security policies to address emerging military and technological threats.
Improving intelligence coordination is viewed as another key element of that broader modernisation effort.
What could this mean for Japan’s future security policy?
The creation of a central intelligence agency signals Japan’s intention to play a more proactive role in protecting its national security.
If successfully implemented, the new organisation could improve the country’s ability to identify emerging threats, coordinate responses across government agencies and strengthen resilience against espionage, cyberattacks and foreign interference as regional security challenges continue to evolve.
News.Az
By Faig Mahmudov
AloJapan.com