On July 31, Japan officially launched the 'National Intelligence Center.' This is not merely a new government organization; it signifies a major turning point in the history of Japan's intelligence system since the end of World War II.
Japan has traditionally been a country with strong capabilities in intelligence activities. Since the Meiji era, it accumulated skills in intelligence collection and analysis within military and diplomatic fields, achieving significant results in training intelligence officers, cryptographic research, and espionage operations through the Sino-Japanese War, Russo-Japanese War, and the war against North Korea.
However, after defeat, maintaining an intelligence institution that supported imperialism became politically burdensome under the U.S. military government and the pacifist constitution system. Intelligence activities have been operated only by a small-scale analytical unit called the 'Cabinet Intelligence and Research Office' under individual ministries such as the National Police Agency, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Defense, and Public Security Investigation Agency. There was no national-level strategic intelligence institution.
During the Cold War, Japan relied on U.S. intelligence capabilities. After complex security threats such as terrorism, North Korea, and China emerged, evaluations continued that Japan lacked integrated intelligence analysis and coordination capabilities. Consequently, discussions on establishing a national intelligence institution were held multiple times, but they were not implemented due to strong public opposition based on concerns about the revival of militarism and potential human rights violations, similar to military re-armament.
The establishment of the National Intelligence Center is believed to have gained momentum from previous discussions on necessity, set against the backdrop of recent threatening international conditions and changes in U.S. alliance support attitudes. The National Intelligence Center, established directly under the Prime Minister's office, will integrate information from various ministries and provide strategic judgment support regarding external and internal threats. It is reported that operating a spy organization active overseas, similar to the U.S. CIA, will be handled by the proposed 'Foreign Intelligence Agency' scheduled for installation next year.
This move can be seen as Japan's attempt to institutionally restore its potential as an intelligence powerhouse. The implications for us are not light. Japan already exerts tremendous influence in economic, technological, and diplomatic fields, and the establishment of an intelligence institution will further support this power more precisely. Information produced by Japanese intelligence institutions could be reflected in policies regarding the Dokdo issue or North Korea policy, potentially becoming a threat to us.
However, the possibility of expanded cooperation opportunities is greater. In the Northeast Asian security environment, South Korea and Japan face common challenges such as North Korea's nuclear and missile threats, China's military expansion, and Russia's strategic moves. Especially considering that both countries share geopolitical interests with regional threat nations like China, Russia, and North Korea, unlike the United States located far across the Pacific Ocean, information cooperation with Japan becomes indispensable.
Intelligence is a core asset of modern national security, and it is impossible for any single country to perfectly grasp all threats. If South Korea institutionalizes intelligence cooperation with Japan and builds trust, it can expand its capacity to respond not only to North Korea but also to threats from China and Russia.
Ultimately, the launch of Japan's National Intelligence Center symbolizes a shift in the Northeast Asian order, presenting both challenges and opportunities for us. What must be kept in mind is that in the harsh international community, intelligence cooperation functions only when we possess valuable information. We must strengthen our own intelligence capabilities to create favorable situations even in cooperation. It is time to design more sophisticated strategies for intelligence cooperation with neighboring countries.
in OPINION
