Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said Friday that Japan is considering the drafting of a spy-prevention law to protect national security [1].
The move signals a shift in Japan's approach to domestic intelligence and counter-espionage. By establishing a formal legal framework to target foreign agents, the administration aims to close perceived gaps in the country's ability to deter clandestine operations by overseas intelligence agencies.
Takaichi said that foreign intelligence agencies are actively conducting operations targeting Japan. She said the development of a system to prevent such illicit interference is an urgent matter [1].
The Prime Minister said that the government will proceed with careful deliberation while listening to a variety of opinions [1]. This cautious approach follows long-standing domestic debates regarding the balance between national security and the protection of civil liberties.
Further discussions on the proposed legislation are scheduled for the House of Councillors Budget Committee on May 13 [2]. During a separate statement, Takaichi said she is determined to establish the law to protect Japan from foreign powers [2].
The administration has not yet released a full draft of the legislation. However, the focus remains on preventing the unauthorized collection of sensitive information, and curbing the influence of foreign operatives within Japanese borders [1], [3].
Lawmakers are expected to debate the specific definitions of espionage and the scope of surveillance powers granted to security agencies during the upcoming committee sessions [2].
“The development of a system to prevent such illicit interference is an urgent matter.”
The proposal of a spy-prevention law represents a significant hardening of Japan's security posture. While Japan has historically relied on a combination of administrative guidelines and existing secrecy laws, a dedicated anti-espionage statute would provide the government with more robust legal tools to prosecute foreign agents. This development reflects growing concerns over regional instability and the increasing sophistication of cyber and human intelligence operations targeting Japanese infrastructure and government secrets.
