Japan forms first national intelligence agency, eyes its own CIA

Japan has established its first national intelligence agency in a move aimed at creating a domestic equivalent to the United States Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). The development follows a growing domestic push to overhaul the nation's intelligence-gathering network.

The reform was driven by recent allegations that foreign powers, including the United States, Russia, and China, have actively utilized Japan for their intelligence operations. Consequently, Japanese officials have expressed discomfort regarding these foreign intelligence activities taking place on domestic soil.