New intelligence body to meet in ‘den of spies’ Japan

Japan’s National Intelligence Bureau held its first meeting Friday, a body aimed at centralising information-gathering following claims that security weaknesses were making the country a “den of spies”.

Under a bill enacted in May, Japan has upgraded an existing intelligence body to serve as the central command for collecting and analysing information related to security and public safety.

The new National Intelligence Bureau will integrate information gathered by ministries and report to the National Intelligence Council, also newly created and headed by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi.

Japanese officials have long argued that the nation needs to improve its intelligence capacity to deter foreign spies, prevent terrorism, safeguard sensitive technologies and improve national security.

Critics say Tokyo’s existing policies and law enforcement against espionage are too relaxed.

The New York Times reported this month that Russia had turned Japan into a “den of spies” and a key source of dual-use technology needed for its war in Ukraine.

The report cited Ukrainian government estimates that 90 percent of Russian missiles and drones contain Japanese components.

Concerns have in recent years also been raised about weaknesses in Japan’s cybersecurity defences.

Takaichi’s critics have voiced concerns that the upgraded intelligence apparatus might lead to the government’s overreach and infringe upon individual freedom and privacy.