Japan's House of Councillors has begun deliberating a bill to establish a National Intelligence Council [1].

The legislation marks a significant shift in how Japan handles national security and intelligence gathering. By creating a centralized council, the government aims to address complex national challenges and lay the groundwork for more advanced capabilities, including a foreign intelligence organization and a spy-prevention law [1, 2].

Prime Minister Takashi Takachi said the bill is the first step of intelligence reform [1]. Speaking from the National Diet Press Club, Takachi said the current proposal focuses on coordination rather than enforcement. He said the bill does not create or expand new investigative or research powers [1].

Addressing potential concerns regarding civil liberties, Takachi said the government does not envision using these measures for monitoring demonstrations [1]. The move follows a coalition agreement from Oct. 20, 2025 [2], which outlined the necessity of reforming intelligence policy to meet modern security threats.

The current legislative push is part of a larger timeline that includes the planned establishment of a National Intelligence Bureau in fiscal year 2026 [2]. This bureau would likely serve as the operational arm of the broader reforms initiated by the council.

Takachi said the goal is to strengthen the state's ability to collect and analyze information to protect national interests. The deliberations in the House of Councillors and the plenary session will determine how the council is structured, and the extent of its oversight [1].

“"This bill is the first step of intelligence reform."”

The creation of a National Intelligence Council represents a strategic pivot for Japan, moving toward a more formalized and centralized intelligence architecture. While the Prime Minister emphasizes that this specific bill lacks new investigative powers, it serves as the legal and administrative scaffolding for more assertive measures, such as a spy-prevention law and a dedicated intelligence bureau, which have historically been points of contention in Japanese politics.