内閣情報調査室 Naikaku Jōhō Chōsashitsu (Naichō) | |
Agency overview | |
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Formed | 1986 (CIRO establishment) |
Preceding agencies | |
Jurisdiction | Government of Japan |
Headquarters | Nagatacho, Tokyo, Japan |
Employees | 170–175 |
Agency executive |
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Parent agency | Cabinet Secretariat |
Website | www |
The Cabinet Intelligence and Research Office (内閣情報調査室, Naikaku Jōhō Chōsashitsu),[4] also known as Naichō (内調), 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.[5]
The agency is said to be an equal to the American Central Intelligence Agency.[6] Like most intelligence agencies in Japan, its personnel are usually recruited from other agencies.[7] Around 100 out of 170 CIRO agents are from other agencies/ministries with top positions occupied by career police officers.[8] 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".[9]
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.[8] But due to widespread opposition and the factionalism in the bureaucracy, this plan was discarded.[8] 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.[6] It's located in the Prime Minister's residence.[6]
In August 2007, discussions of intelligence reforms through the paper Improvement of Counter-Intelligence Functions resulted in the establishment of the Counterintelligence Center.[10] 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.[11]
In 2013, CIRO satellite imagery analysis was used to assist NGOs in Tacloban for reconstruction work in the wake of Typhoon Haiyan.[12]
Since 2015, CIRO agents are usually recruited to be sent to the International Counter-Terrorism Intelligence Collection Unit.[13][14]
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.[15]
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.[16]
On January 17, 2008, an official of Naichō was charged for spying for Russians, passing them classified information. The Russians denied the claim.[17] Since then, there had been calls for greater accountability on Naichō.[18]
According to its official web site, organization of Naichō is as follows:[19]