National Police Agency to Upgrade Foreign Affairs and Intelligence Department to Bureau, Strengthen Spy and Tokuryu Countermeasures

In its organizational reform request for fiscal 2027, the National Police Agency has announced a policy to upgrade the Foreign Affairs and Intelligence Department to a bureau and strengthen its ability to counter espionage and influence operations by foreign actors. It also plans to create a director-general-level post for measures against anonymous and fluid crime groups (tokuryu), and is requesting ¥8.98 billion for AI-related budget. The Ministry of Defense also plans to utilize NTT's next-generation optical communications network (IOWN) as the Self-Defense Forces' communications infrastructure, with an eye toward AI analysis of data collected by radar and drones.

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National Police Agency to Upgrade Foreign Affairs and Intelligence Department to Bureau, Strengthen Spy Countermeasures The plan is included in the organizational reform request for fiscal 2027, and three new divisions will be established to detect and block influence operations. It also announced the creation of a director-general-level post for tokuryu countermeasures, the creation of a deputy superintendent general post at the Kanagawa Prefectural Police, and a request for ¥8.98 billion in AI-related budget. 1

Self-Defense Forces to Use NTT's Next-Generation Optical Communications Network as Communications Infrastructure The new system will send data collected by radar, sensors, and drones to command posts and data centers, and support AI analysis. The aim is to use IOWN technology to achieve high-speed, high-capacity communications and modernize defense capabilities. 2