Japan Establishes Its First National Intelligence Agency

Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae announced this week the establishment of Japan's first national intelligence agency, which aims to create an external intelligence operation akin to the American CIA. This announcement was made during the inaugural meeting of a 17-member expert panel focused on intelligence and counterespionage. Takaichi emphasized the necessity for Japan to enhance its intelligence gathering in light of sophisticated threats in the region.

In her remarks, Takaichi pointed out the increasing military capabilities of China and North Korea, as well as the growing cooperation between China and Russia, which poses significant challenges to Japan's national security. She stated, "We must strengthen our intelligence capabilities to ensure public safety and protect the national interest."

Historically, Japan's intelligence operations were dismantled after World War II, and the pacifist sentiment among the Japanese public hindered the rebuilding of a robust intelligence framework. The United States provided foreign intelligence support as Japan relied on a fragmented system of small agencies to manage local intelligence matters.

The situation began to change in the mid-1980s with the launch of the Cabinet Intelligence and Research Office (CIRO), Japan's first centralized intelligence agency. However, CIRO did not significantly expand Japan's intelligence operations, and it wasn't until 2013 that Japan established a formal system for classifying state secrets.

Shifts in Leadership and Rising Threats

The election of Takaichi, Japan's first female prime minister, in October 2025 marked a turning point. Her administration faced increased Chinese espionage activities, particularly after she suggested that Japan might respond militarily to a Chinese invasion of Taiwan. This statement provoked a strong backlash from China, intensifying tensions between the two nations.

Japan's concerns also extend to Russia, which has shown aggressive behavior since its invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Following this invasion, many Russian spies were expelled from Western countries, with some reportedly relocating to Japan under various pretenses. These spies have engaged in industrial espionage, stealing Japanese technology for use against Ukraine.

Clearance Granted

In response to these threats, Takaichi cited the need for a new security agency to combat foreign intelligence operations and disinformation campaigns. In May 2026, the Japanese parliament approved the creation of the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB), which is intended to succeed CIRO and operate on par with the CIA and other members of the Five Eyes intelligence alliance.

The NIB, along with its supervisory body, the National Intelligence Council, was officially established in July and is set to receive increased personnel, funding, and legal authority in the coming months. Takaichi has expressed her ambition for the NIB to achieve operational capabilities comparable to the CIA by March 2028.