Politics
Japan creates first centralized intelligence agency since WWII

Synthesized from2 sources
Japan creates first centralized intelligence agency since WWII
Japan’s parliament has passed legislation to establish a National Intelligence Council and Bureau, creating the country’s first centralized spy agency since World War II.
- Legislation to establish the new agency passed the lower house in April 2026 and the upper house in May 2026.
- The reform creates a National Intelligence Council and a National Intelligence Bureau, replacing the existing Cabinet Intelligence and Research Office.
- Western allies including the United States, Germany and Australia are advising Japan on building the new intelligence body.
- Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi described the legislation as “a first step” towards strengthening Japan’s espionage capabilities.
Coverage
Read the original reportingThis brief was compiled from 2 outlets, 1 reporting in Arabic and 1 in English, over 24 hours of coverage. Each is listed below with the headline it led on, so you can compare them yourself.
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