OMM Redaksiyası
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has pledged to strengthen the country’s intelligence capabilities, citing what she called a “complex and challenging international environment”, according to the source report.
Takaichi made the remarks on Monday after chairing the first meeting of a 17-member expert panel tasked with improving Japan’s intelligence capabilities. She said the government should formulate a “National Intelligence Strategy”.
“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 “X”, the US social media platform.
Threats include cyberattacks and disinformation
The panel includes experts from academia, the media and business, along with government officials.
Takaichi identified cyberattacks, the illicit leakage of advanced technologies involving foreign intelligence operatives and the spread of disinformation as key threats.
She said it would be difficult to obtain a complete picture without integrating and analysing information collected across areas including diplomacy, defence, public security, the economy and technology.
Japan plans independent intelligence agency
Japan established the National Intelligence Council, led by Takaichi, and its secretariat, the National Intelligence Bureau, in July after legislation was passed in May.
Takaichi’s administration aims to establish an independent intelligence agency, modelled on 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,” Takaichi said.
