The government decided at a Cabinet meeting to launch the national intelligence bureau on July 31.

The new bureau will be established by restructuring the Cabinet Intelligence and Research Office in order to strengthen the government's intelligence capabilities.

The government is also making arrangements to hold the first meeting of the national intelligence council, chaired by Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae, on the same day.

The council will discuss critical information related to security and terrorism as well as responses to intelligence activities by foreign entities.

S/ Kihara Minoru, Chief Cabinet Secretary / In today’s complex and severe international environment, this will help the government make precise decisions based on higher-quality and more timely intelligence.

The government decided to appoint Hara Kazuya, the current director of Cabinet Intelligence, as the first head of the national intelligence bureau.

Hara, who was previously with the National Police Agency, held senior positions such as executive secretary to then Prime Minister Abe Shinzo.

Since 2023, he has served in this current post, overseeing the government’s intelligence operations.

Moving forward, the government also plans to establish a panel of experts and formulate a national intelligence strategy as part of efforts to further strengthen Japan’s intelligence functions.