Cabinet Intelligence and Research Office
Japanese intelligence agency under the Cabinet Secretariat From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Cabinet Intelligence and Research Office (内閣情報調査室, Naikaku Jōhō Chōsashitsu),[4] also known as Naichō (内調),[5] is a Japanese intelligence agency under the Cabinet Secretariat responsible for gathering, processing, and analyzing national security information for the cabinet. As a principal member of the Japanese intelligence community, the CIRO reports directly to the Prime Minister. Its operations are mandated through the Cabinet Law.[6]
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| 内閣情報調査室 Naikaku Jōhō Chōsashitsu (Naichō) | |
Seal of the Cabinet Intelligence and Research Office | |
| Agency overview | |
|---|---|
| Formed | 1986 (CIRO establishment) |
| Preceding agencies | |
| Jurisdiction | Government of Japan |
| Headquarters | Nagatacho, Tokyo, Japan |
| Employees | 170–175 |
| Agency executive |
|
| Parent agency | Cabinet Secretariat |
| Website | www |
The agency is said to be equivalent to the American Central Intelligence Agency.[7] Like most intelligence agencies in Japan, its personnel are usually recruited from other agencies.[8] Around 100 out of 170 CIRO agents are from other agencies/ministries with top positions occupied by career police officers.[9] The CIRO frequently works with the National Security Council as a communication channel to the prime minister.
The CIRO is headquartered in Chiyoda, Tokyo, in a building called "H20".[10]
History
Summarize
Perspective
The CIRO was created by the Allied Forces through the formation of the Prime Ministers's Research Office (内閣総理大臣官房調査室, Naikakusōri Daijin Kanbō Chōsa-Shitsu) in April 1952 with Jun Murai as the first director in an attempt to replicate its structure after the CIA.[9] But due to widespread opposition and the factionalism in the bureaucracy, this plan was discarded.[9] The RO was placed under jurisdiction of the Prime Minister's office in 1957 and was known as the Cabinet Research Office (内閣調査室, Naikaku Chōsa-Shitsu).[1] The CRO was later renamed as the CIRO in 1986.[1]
The Cabinet Intensive Information Center was established on April 11, 1996 to ensure that the CIRO can inform the Prime Minister in case of severe emergencies.[7] It's located in the Prime Minister's residence.[7]
In August 2007, discussions of intelligence reforms through the paper Improvement of Counter-Intelligence Functions resulted in the establishment of the Counterintelligence Center.[11] It's been suggested that the CIC can be used as the basis for the creation of an actual external intelligence agency similar to the CIA.[12]
In 2013, CIRO satellite imagery analysis was used to assist NGOs in Tacloban for reconstruction work in the wake of Typhoon Haiyan.[13]
Since 2015, CIRO agents are usually recruited to be sent to the International Counter-Terrorism Intelligence Collection Unit.[14][15]
In 2016, the business magazine Facta reported that the government of Shinzo Abe had directed the CIRO to spy on a legal council connected to David Kaye, who as U.N. special rapporteur on freedom of expression stated "deep and genuine concern" on declining media independence in Japan.[16]
On January 12, 2024, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and Cabinet Satellite Intelligence Center announced that the launch of the Optical-8 satellite was a success, which separated from the missile and has entered orbit.[17]
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.[18] Since then, there had been calls for greater accountability on Naichō.[19]
Organization
Summarize
Perspective
According to its official web site, the organization of Naichō is as follows:[20]
- Director of Cabinet Intelligence (内閣情報官)
- Deputy Director of Cabinet Intelligence (次長)
- Cabinet Intelligence Officer
- Divisions:
- Administration (総務部門): Has Human Resources, Budget and academic experts.
- Home Affairs Division (国内部門): Collect information based on domestic media, including newspapers, magazines and from news broadcasts.
- International Affairs Division (国際部門): Collect information based on foreign media and broadcasts from another country, including CIRO agents based overseas.
- Economic Affairs Division (経済部門): Studies domestic/international economic information.
- Cabinet Intensive Information Center (内閣情報集約センター): Secures information related to disasters and other emergencies. Staffed by twenty agents from the Ministry of Defense, National Police Agency, Fire Disaster and Management Agency and the Japan Coast Guard.
- Cabinet Intelligence Analysts (内閣情報分析官)
- Cabinet Satellite Intelligence Center (内閣衛星情報センター): Operates a network of surveillance satellites, such as the IGS-Optical and IGS-Radar series. As of June 2018, Japan has six functioning observation satellites in orbit.[21] It was established in 2001 and has 320 personnel employed with at least 100 of them being imagery intelligence analysts.[9] Tasked with obtaining and analyzing satellite imagery data.[22] The Deputy Director position is filled by a senior officer from the NPA.[23]
- Situation Center of Cabinet
- National Counterintelligence Center (カウンターインテリジェンスセンター): Coordinates government action based on the "Improvement of Counter-Intelligence Functions" policy.
- Cabinet Counter Terrorism Intelligence Coordination Center
Directors of Naichō
- Yoshio Omori (March 1993 - April 1997)[24]
- Kazuhiro Sugita (January 2001 – April 2001)[25]
- Toshinori Kanemoto (April 2001 – April 2006)[26]
- Hideshi Mitani (April 2006 – April 2010)[27]
- Shinichi Uematsu (April 2010 – December 2011)[28]
- Shigeru Kitamura (December 2011 – September 2019)[10][29]
- Hiroaki Takizawa (September 2019 – June 2023)[30][31]
- Kazuya Hara (June 2023 – present)[32]
References
Bibliography
External links
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