Japan Lower House OKs bill to boost intel capabilities
The House of Representatives on Thursday passed a bill to establish a national intelligence council designed to strengthen the government's intelligence capabilities.At a plenary meeting of the lower chamber of parliament, the bill was approved by a majority vote, with support from the ruling bloc consisting of the Liberal Democratic Party and the Japan Innovation Party, as well as the Centrist Reform Alliance and the Democratic Party for the People from the opposition side.The bill is likely to be enacted during the ongoing session of the parliament, with approval by the House of Councilors now that the DPP is set to vote for the legislation at the Upper House as well. The ruling bloc lacks a majority in the upper chamber.The bill calls for setting up a national intelligence council to be headed by the prime minister and a national intelligence bureau that would serve as its secretariat.The planned council will investigate and discuss important intelligence activities related to national security and terrorism, and decide a basic policy for addressing influence operations by foreign groups.A post of director to head the national intelligence bureau will be created by upgrading the current position of Cabinet intelligence director.A clause that "sufficient consideration will be given" has been included in a supplementary resolution of the bill, in order to address concerns about privacy violations raised by opposition parties.To ensure political neutrality, the bill stipulates that the council will not collect information on elections, which could bring advantage or disadvantage to specific political parties.Strengthening the nation's intelligence capabilities is one of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's key policies. The government aims to launch the council in July and then plans to concentrate on discussions on an anti-espionage law and other issues.
