Japan's prime minister declares country targeted by foreign intelligence subversion

Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has called for the swift adoption of anti-espionage legislation, claiming that certain foreign entities are actively conducting subversive operations within the country.

She made these remarks during a plenary session of the upper house of parliament, where discussions began on a bill to establish a National Intelligence Council and a National Intelligence Agency (NIA).

"Foreign intelligence agencies are actively carrying out subversive operations targeting our country. We face an urgent task to develop a mechanism to prevent such illegal interference," the prime minister stated. She claimed that certain foreign intelligence services are attempting to influence elections in Japan by spreading false information. In this context, she emphasized the importance of strengthening Japan's intelligence agencies.

The key lower house of parliament approved the bill in April to create the National Intelligence Council, headed by the prime minister, and the NIA, which will be responsible for collecting and processing information. The council will also include nine leading cabinet members, such as the chief cabinet secretary, the foreign minister, and the ministers of defense, justice, and finance. They will make fundamental decisions in the fields of intelligence and counterintelligence. The practical implementation will be handled by the NIA, whose director will hold the status of a minister.

Source: TASS