Japan's government has set up an expert panel to draft a national intelligence strategy, the first of its kind for the country. The panel, which began work on October 1, is expected to shape how Japan collects and uses intelligence in the coming years.

The move comes months after Japan launched its National Intelligence Bureau on July 31, 2026, reorganising the Cabinet Intelligence and Research Office into a stronger central body. Officials say the new strategy will define priorities across economic security, cyber threats, and regional military developments.

The panel has also revived debate over whether Japan needs a dedicated foreign intelligence agency, similar to America's CIA or Britain's MI6. Japan currently has no standalone agency for human intelligence collection abroad, a gap critics say leaves it dependent on allies.

Supporters argue an external agency would strengthen Japan's hand in an era of rising regional tension. Critics warn of the legal and oversight challenges such a body would bring. The panel's recommendations are expected to guide the Takaichi government's next steps.