Japan enacts law centralising intelligence gathering amid privacy fears
According to SCMP, Japan's parliament on Wednesday enacted a law establishing a new National Intelligence Council to centralise information gathering against overseas threats. It is seen as a first step in a broader push to boost capabilities that has raised civil-liberties concerns.

According to SCMP, Japan's parliament on Wednesday enacted a law to establish a new National Intelligence Council, centralising information gathering in response to overseas threats. The measure was reported as a first step in plans to boost the country's intelligence capabilities.
Establishing the council was described as a key aim of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, a security hawk who has pledged to strengthen intelligence and counter-espionage capacity.
The report said the new powers have raised concerns over civil liberties. While the government cites overseas threats, critics voice privacy concerns; all details are attributed to SCMP.
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