Japan enacts law centralising intelligence gathering amid privacy fears

The move is a significant first step in the government’s plans to expand Japan’s counter-espionage architecture

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Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi speaks to the media at her official residence in Tokyo on Monday. Establishing the council is a key aim in the governing agenda for Takaichi, a security hawk who has pledged to strengthen intelligence and counter-espionage capabilities. Photo: Kyodo/via Reuters

Published: 6:21pm, 27 May 2026

Japan’s parliament enacted a law on Wednesday to establish a new National Intelligence Council to centralise information gathering in response to overseas threats, marking a first step in plans to boost capabilities that have raised concerns over civil liberties.

Establishing the council is a key aim in the governing agenda of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, a security hawk who has pledged to strengthen intelligence and counter-espionage capabilities in response to what her government calls the most complex security environment since the end of World War II.

The move, made possible by support from some opposition parties in the House of Councillors where the governing coalition lacks a majority, marks a significant first step in the government’s plans to expand Japan’s counter-espionage architecture through further legislation.

Takaichi has said a system for registering agents of foreign governments engaged in lobbying activities should be considered, and that Japan needs to establish its own foreign intelligence agency.

The new law lacks provisions for parliament to monitor intelligence activities, leaving questions regarding democratic oversight unresolved.

Japan’s members of parliament discuss a bill to establish the “National Intelligence Council” in a plenary session of the House of Councillors in Tokyo on Wednesday. Photo: AFP

Speaking to reporters at her office, Takaichi maintained the new law will not raise risks to privacy, saying it will “establish the foundations of Japan’s intelligence capabilities” and strengthen the country’s ability to “protect public safety and the national interest”.

Japan enacts law centralising intelligence gathering amid privacy fears

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}The move is a significant first step in the government’s plans to expand Japan’s counter-espionage architecture

The move is a significant first step in the government’s plans to expand Japan’s counter-espionage architecture