Japan plans first foreign intelligence agency since World War II
Japan is building a central intelligence agency for the first time since 1945. China's military growth and foreign interference are the reasons.
Japan's intelligence work is split across police, defense, and foreign affairs departments, which will join into one new foreign intelligence agency by early 2028. Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae said this move is urgent.
Regional military growth, cyber attacks, and foreign tech theft are the reasons. Earlier this year, Japan set up a National Intelligence Bureau.
Japan also created a new security council. The new agency will be similar to America's CIA.
It is studying how Australia, the UK, and France run intelligence. Australia's clearance systems are being looked at as a model.
Japan wants to join AUKUS, the Australia-UK-US military partnership. Japan also wants to get closer to the Five Eyes intelligence alliance.
China has criticized the reforms as remilitarization. China calls them a threat to regional stability.
- Early 2028
- Timeline
- Takaichi Sanae
- Prime Minister
- Australia, UK, France
- Models being studied
- AUKUS and Five Eyes
- Target alliances
Why it mattersA stronger Japanese intelligence service will deepen security ties in the Indo-Pacific. It will shape how allies like Australia work together on China concerns.
AustraliaAustralia's intelligence systems and security partnership with Japan will deepen; Japan may move closer to Five Eyes intelligence-sharing, increasing regional security coordination.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 2 h ago
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