Tokyo (ANTARA) - Japan launched its new centralised intelligence\nagency on Friday, according to local media reports, a controversial move\nthat has triggered concerns among some parties due to a perceived lack\nof checks and balances in the form of monitoring mechanisms.<\/p>\n
The formation of the national intelligence bureau, which is an\nexpansion of the Cabinet Intelligence and Research Office that\npreviously held very limited authority, follows the enactment of\nlegislation in May to establish a national intelligence council, Kyodo\nNews reported.<\/p>\n
Kazuya Hara, who has served as the Cabinet\u2019s intelligence director\nsince June 2023 and has held several senior positions within the\nNational Police Agency, officially assumed the role of director of the\nbureau on Friday, according to the report.<\/p>\n
The bureau will function as the secretariat for the council, a\ncentral command body headed by the Prime Minister and composed of key\nministers. It will coordinate intelligence collected by the National\nPolice Agency, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Defence,\nand several other organisations, with the authority to mandate that they\nshare information, the report added.<\/p>\n
According to government sources, the council is expected to hold its\nfirst meeting today to begin discussions regarding Japan\u2019s first\nnational intelligence strategy.<\/p>\n
The increase in intelligence activity has sparked fears regarding\nheightened surveillance of citizens and potential government misuse, as\nwell as questions regarding whether the agencies can remain politically\nneutral and whether the planned legislation might infringe upon public\nprivacy.<\/p>\n
Critics oppose the move, arguing that it not only raises concerns\nregarding unnecessary breaches of personal information and privacy but\nalso strengthens the agency\u2019s authority without an accompanying system\nof checks and balances in the form of monitoring mechanisms.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/japan-launches-centralised-intelligence-agency-amid-concerns-1785513761", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }