Naicho
Encyclopedia
Naichō is the premier intelligence agency
of Japan
, reporting directly to the Prime Minister
. The agency is said to be an equal to the American Central Intelligence Agency
. However, it is often criticized as being rather ineffectual, spending most of its energy translating foreign publications rather than gathering any substantial intelligence
while being accused of spying on Japanese nationals on domestic soil.
.
There is a proposal being called on to reorganize the agency in order for it to be on equals with the CIA
, with the integration of officials from the Foreign Ministry, the National Police Agency
, Defense Agency as well as private sector.
Intelligence agency
An intelligence agency is a governmental agency that is devoted to information gathering for purposes of national security and defence. Means of information gathering may include espionage, communication interception, cryptanalysis, cooperation with other institutions, and evaluation of public...
of Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
, reporting directly to the Prime Minister
Prime Minister of Japan
The is the head of government of Japan. He is appointed by the Emperor of Japan after being designated by the Diet from among its members, and must enjoy the confidence of the House of Representatives to remain in office...
. The agency is said to be an equal to the American Central Intelligence Agency
Central Intelligence Agency
The Central Intelligence Agency is a civilian intelligence agency of the United States government. It is an executive agency and reports directly to the Director of National Intelligence, responsible for providing national security intelligence assessment to senior United States policymakers...
. However, it is often criticized as being rather ineffectual, spending most of its energy translating foreign publications rather than gathering any substantial intelligence
Intelligence (information gathering)
Intelligence assessment is the development of forecasts of behaviour or recommended courses of action to the leadership of an organization, based on a wide range of available information sources both overt and covert. Assessments are developed in response to requirements declared by the leadership...
while being accused of spying on Japanese nationals on domestic soil.
Role
Most of the information obtained by Naicho is based from news agencies and intelligence supplied to them by friendly nations.Organization
The total staff of Naicho is around 170 to 175, with 120 on loan from other agencies and ministries. In addition, most of the personnel are from the Japanese National Police AgencyNational Police Agency (Japan)
The is an agency administered by the National Public Safety Commission of the Cabinet Office in the cabinet of Japan, and is the central coordinating agency of the Japanese police system....
.
There is a proposal being called on to reorganize the agency in order for it to be on equals with the CIA
Central Intelligence Agency
The Central Intelligence Agency is a civilian intelligence agency of the United States government. It is an executive agency and reports directly to the Director of National Intelligence, responsible for providing national security intelligence assessment to senior United States policymakers...
, with the integration of officials from the Foreign Ministry, the National Police Agency
National Police Agency (Japan)
The is an agency administered by the National Public Safety Commission of the Cabinet Office in the cabinet of Japan, and is the central coordinating agency of the Japanese police system....
, Defense Agency as well as private sector.
Spy scandal
On January 17, 2008, an official of Naichō was charged for spying for Russians, passing them classified information. The Russians denied the claim. Since then, there had been calls for greater accountability on Naicho.Known heads of Naicho
- Yoshio Omori
- Kazuhiro Sugita (Jan. 2001–Apr. 2001)
- Toshinori Kanemoto (Apr. 2001–Apr. 2006)
- Hideshi Mitani (Apr. 2006–Apr. 2010)
- Shin'ichi Uematsu (Apr. 2010–)