ExplainerNew legislation brings Tokyo closer to establishing equivalent of CIAJapanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi speaks during a discussion on the bill to establish the National Intelligence Council at the House of Councillors in Tokyo on May 8. (Photo by Ken Suzuki)SHOTARO TANIMay 27, 2026 12:39 JSTTOKYO -- Japan has moved closer to creating a centralized national intelligence agency -- often described as its equivalent to the CIA -- after the upper house approved legislation on Wednesday, following lower house passage in April.