Japan Is Building a New Intelligence Agency With Help From the West

Facing threats from Russia and China, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is breaking with World War II-era limits on security.

By Javier C. Hernández

What is Japan’s new intelligence agency, and why is Tokyo building it?

Japan plans to launch its first centralised intelligence body with help from Western allies.

33,000 Assets, $407 Million Budget: Japan Builds Its First-Ever Spy Agency

At the heart of it all is Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, who sees a new domestic agency as central to her broader ambition of freeing Japan from the security constraints it has carried since the Second World War.

Japan is building a new intelligence agency with help from the West

Japanese leaders have privately approached allies such as the United States, Australia and Germany in recent months for advice on technology, staffing and priorities.