Japan holds maiden meeting of panel on boosting intelligence capabilities

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on Monday pledged to strengthen the country’s intelligence capabilities amid a “complex and challenging international environment.”

She stressed on formulating a “National Intelligence Strategy” after chairing the first meeting of a 17-member expert panel on strengthening intelligence.

“It is extremely important for our country to swiftly and accurately grasp threats that could potentially jeopardize our national interests, as well as the lives and safety of our citizens,” Takaichi said on US social media platform X.

The panel brings together experts from academia, media and businesses as well as government officials.

She warned about “cyberattacks, illicit leakage of advanced technologies involving foreign intelligence operatives” as well as “spread of disinformation."

“It is difficult to grasp the full picture without integrating and analyzing information gathered across multiple domains, such as diplomacy, defense, public security, the economy, and technology,” she said.

Japan launched the National Intelligence Council, led by Takaichi, as well as its secretariat National Intelligence Bureau in July after the law was passed in May.

Takaichi's administration aims to launch an independent intelligence agency, akin to the CIA, by March 2028.

“Efforts to strengthen intelligence functions have only just begun, and moving forward, we need to continue deliberations on further intelligence reforms,” said Takaichi.