Japan to set up new intelligence agency on CIA model to boost national security

TOKYO: Japan is planning to establish its first centralised intelligence agency since the end of World War II. According to reports, the country has sought advice and technical assistance from allies, including the United States, Australia, and Germany, for the proposed agency.

Japan has not had a dedicated national intelligence agency since its defeat in World War II. Instead, it has relied largely on intelligence shared by allies, particularly the United States, for information on foreign security matters. Currently, Japan's intelligence system is divided among several government departments. The Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the police and other agencies independently collect and analyse intelligence, with only limited coordination between them. The lack of coordination has prompted Japan to move towards creating a unified intelligence agency.

Japanese authorities also believe that the absence of a centralised intelligence agency has made it easier for hostile elements to infiltrate the country. The United States has warned that Russia is using Japan as a key route to bypass Western sanctions. Against the backdrop of these security challenges, Japan is seeking to strengthen its national security framework and reduce its dependence on post-World War II arrangements. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said the proposed agency would be modelled on the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and would also strengthen the country's counter-espionage capabilities.