Japan launches National Intelligence Bureau amid counterespionage push

Japan’s Cabinet approved launching a new National Intelligence Bureau on July 31, alongside the first meeting of the National Intelligence Council chaired by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. The move follows a May law creating new intelligence bodies as Japan ramps up counterespionage efforts amid rising overseas threats. The bureau, an upgrade of a previous office, will coordinate intelligence gathered by agencies including the National Police Agency, Foreign Ministry and Defence Ministry, and support discussion of Japan’s first national intelligence strategy.