Japan’s government announced plans to develop its first national intelligence strategy, aiming to finalize the framework by the end of the current fiscal year, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said at an initial meeting of an expert advisory panel on intelligence activities held on September 28.
The forthcoming strategy will establish mid- and long-term policies to enhance the government’s intelligence operations, with a focus on improving foreign intelligence capabilities and countering foreign interference. The expert panel, chaired by University of Tokyo Professor Emeritus Toshiya Watanabe, includes 17 specialists in fields such as international relations and economic security. It is expected to submit its recommendations by January.
Prime Minister Takaichi emphasized the necessity of strengthening intelligence functions to safeguard public safety and national interests. She indicated that the government would outline specific steps for reform ahead of the strategy’s completion, underscoring the importance of bolstering coordination between intelligence and policy sectors, as well as investing in personnel training.
The strategy will also address safeguarding privacy and ensuring democratic oversight of intelligence activities. During the meeting, the government highlighted the urgency of enacting legislation to prevent foreign espionage. Proposed measures may incorporate criminal penalties for individuals who receive funds from foreign intelligence agencies or leak classified information, reflecting a draft plan introduced by the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) in August.
Participants cited recent cases of foreign espionage to illustrate the threat, including an incident involving an employee of a machinery company who allegedly provided confidential information to a person believed to be a Russian intelligence agent in exchange for payment. The government stressed the importance of enhancing counterintelligence capabilities, including the establishment of a legal framework to address such breaches.
Experts expressed support for the government’s initiative but called for transparency and public engagement in developing the strategy. Professor Yoko Hirose of Keio University, recognized for her expertise on Russia, said that there has been a rise in unconventional information leaks, reinforcing the need to strengthen intelligence measures. Other panel members urged assurance of democratic accountability through regular reporting to the Diet as intelligence authorities' powers expand.
The government also indicated its intention to improve its foreign intelligence operations. The LDP proposal envisions creating an agency similar to the CIA to better collect and analyze information related to terrorism and security threats, a topic expected to be examined further by the expert panel.
The national intelligence strategy represents a significant shift in Japan’s approach to intelligence, reflecting growing concerns about foreign interference and espionage in an increasingly complex international security environment.