Japan begins steps to establish central intelligence agency, first since WWII — NYT

The New York Times reports that Japan has started moves to establish a central intelligence agency for the first time since World War II, part of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s security reforms. The agency, with a budget of about $407 million, is expected to begin operations by December, initially employing hundreds of staff including software engineers, cyber analysts, and liaison officers. It will coordinate Japan's 33,000 intelligence personnel across police, defense, and foreign ministries.

The New York Times reported on Monday that Japan has initiated steps to establish a central intelligence agency for the first time since World War II, as part of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s security reforms. According to the report, senior Japanese officials in recent months approached allies in the United States, Australia, and Germany for advice on critical issues. The new agency, with a budget of approximately $407 million, is slated to begin operations by December. It will initially employ hundreds of staff, including software engineers, cyber analysts, and liaison officers, and will serve as Japan's central hub for intelligence collection and analysis, coordinating the work of some 33,000 intelligence personnel across the police, defense, and foreign ministries. Japan has long conducted intelligence gathering without a central coordinating body, leaving it exposed to hostile influence, particularly from China. The move comes amid a broader security overhaul under Takaichi, who has pursued various reforms, including the recent introduction of an AI-generated virtual police chief to combat imposter scams, as The Zioneer reported in June.

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