Japan holds 1st panel meeting on anti-espionage measures

Tokyo (Kyodo) -- On Monday, Japan convened the inaugural panel to deliberate measures for enhancing the nation's intelligence capabilities, with a particular focus on counterespionage legislation. This development comes as concerns mount that such actions could result in unwarranted surveillance of citizens. The 17-member panel, comprising scholars, media representatives, and business leaders, is also set to explore the establishment of a foreign intelligence agency.

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, who presided over the meeting, emphasized the rising threats to national security, including the dissemination of advanced technologies, cyberattacks, and foreign disinformation campaigns. Takaichi underscored the necessity of bolstering Japan's intelligence capabilities to safeguard public safety and national interests, vowing to advance efforts to prevent undue foreign interference and enhance information gathering and analysis from abroad.

She also pledged to develop and disclose a national intelligence strategy as long-term guidelines for intelligence operations. The government intends to introduce relevant bills to parliament in the coming year, according to sources privy to the matter. Concerns over the potential for heightened public surveillance in response to foreign interference are expected to be addressed as the panel deliberates on democratic oversight, adherence to human rights standards, and the scope of overseas intelligence activities.

Since assuming office in October, Takaichi's administration has intensified Japan's intelligence and counterespionage measures to counter escalating security threats from China, North Korea, and Russia. In July, the National Intelligence Council, chaired by the prime minister, and the National Intelligence Bureau, its secretariat, were established following the enactment of legislation to create the council.

Takaichi's ruling Liberal Democratic Party, along with its junior partner, the Japan Innovation Party, had pledged in their coalition agreement to establish an independent intelligence agency akin to the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency by March 2028. Both conservative parties affirmed their intention to swiftly enact intelligence and counterespionage legislation, including provisions mandating foreign agents to register and disclose information about their activities.