Japan’s National Police Agency intends to create a foreign intelligence intelligence department within its structure, which will deal with Russia, China, and North Korea, among others. Funds for its formation are planned to be requested in the budget for fiscal year 2027, which begins on April 1, 2027.
Japan’s National Police Agency intends to expand its current foreign intelligence division into an intelligence department with three units, Kyodo reports.
According to the agency, the first unit will handle general matters and Russia, the second — China, the third — North Korea. The police agency already has a foreign intelligence division.
Funds for creating the department are planned to be requested in the budget for fiscal year 2027, which begins on April 1, 2027. Kyodo’s report does not give the exact amount requested.
The creation of the department is linked to the start of operations in Japan of the National Intelligence Directorate (NID), which was formed on the basis of the Cabinet Intelligence and Research Office. This office analyzed information received, in particular, from open sources, from other agencies, from the U.S. CIA, and through satellite intelligence.
The NID has been given the authority to lead and oversee the activities of intelligence and counterintelligence units of individual agencies, including the police, the Foreign Ministry, and military structures. The directorate also serves as the permanent executive body of Japan’s National Intelligence Council, which includes the leading members of the government headed by the prime minister.
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