Japan's Upper House Passes National Intelligence Council Bill; PM Takaichi Calls it 'First Step' in Reform

The Japanese House of Councillors passed the 'National Intelligence Council Establishment Bill' today, officially establishing an intelligence coordination mechanism led by the Prime Minister. The Japanese government expects to establish a 'National Intelligence Agency' as early as July and will further promote intelligence system reforms, including deliberating on an 'anti-espionage law' to prevent foreign espionage activities and establishing an independent intelligence agency, the 'External Intelligence Agency (tentative name).' According to the Mainichi Shimbun, under the bill, the National Intelligence Council will be a cabinet-level body chaired by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, aimed at breaking the 'vertical segmentation' of existing intelligence agencies such as the National Police Agency, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Defense, and Public Security Intelligence Agency, and strengthening the government's overall intelligence integration and analysis capabilities. The 'Cabinet Intelligence and Research Office' under the Cabinet Secretariat will also be upgraded to the 'National Intelligence Agency,' responsible for inter-ministerial coordination, and relevant agencies will be legally required to provide necessary information and data. During deliberations in the Upper House Cabinet Committee, opposition parties questioned whether the expansion of intelligence agency powers could lead to increased surveillance of citizens, further infringing on freedom of speech and privacy rights guaranteed by the Japanese Constitution. In response, Takaichi stated that after the bill takes effect, the National Intelligence Council will study mechanisms to prevent the infringement of citizens' rights during information collection and provision. The largest opposition party, the Constitutional Democratic Party, had proposed an amendment to establish an independent oversight body to review whether intelligence activities infringe on fundamental human rights and maintain political neutrality, and demanded that the government report the operation of the National Intelligence Council to the Diet at least once a year, but this was ultimately rejected. Reports indicate that the ruling and opposition parties passed a supplementary resolution in the Upper House Cabinet Committee yesterday, requiring the government to fully respect privacy rights when conducting intelligence work, not to collect information unrelated to duties, and not to engage in intelligence activities that undermine political neutrality. Takaichi stated that this bill is the 'first step' in Japan's intelligence reform. She also pointed out that the policy agreement between the ruling coalition and the Japan Innovation Party has included concepts such as an 'anti-espionage law,' and other intelligence policies will continue to be promoted in the future, with the government explaining details to the public to seek understanding and support.