Japan's parliament enacted a law to establish a new "national intelligence council"

New Delhi ( Vivek Ojha ) : With the bill approved by the House of Councillors on Wednesday, Japan's parliament enacted a law to establish a new "national intelligence council" aimed at enhancing national intelligence capabilities. Analysts warned that the latest move goes far beyond domestic worries over eroded privacy rights. It represents a key attempt by Japan to restore its wartime intelligence capacity and another stride toward neo-militarism, and peace-loving neighboring countries must stay highly alert.

According to the Kyodo News, establishing the council is a key aim in the governing agenda of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, who has pledged to strengthen intelligence and counterespionage capabilities as part of a response to what her government calls "the most complex security environment since the end of World War II."

The Japanese media said the council will be chaired by the prime minister and composed of nine other Cabinet members, including the chief Cabinet secretary and foreign minister.

In addition, the Japanese government could establish the council and bureau as early as July and set up an expert panel to discuss counterespionage legislation. It is expected to formulate policy with an eye to submitting a bill during the regular parliamentary session in 2027, reported the Kyodo News.

The bill, while eventually adopted, was opposed collectively by the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, the Japanese Communist Party and other forces, with some believing that the legislation serves the interests of the US security strategy, which would undermine Japan's national interests, according to Japanese media reports.