The National Police Agency of Japan plans to establish a new "Foreign Affairs Intelligence Bureau" dedicated to gathering and analyzing information on espionage and terrorism, stepping up intelligence activities targeting foreign countries such as North Korea, China, and Russia, local media reported on the 29th.

During an organizational overhaul next April, the National Police Agency plans to upgrade the current Foreign Affairs Intelligence Department, which operates under the Security Bureau, into the Foreign Affairs Intelligence Bureau.

This move follows the Japanese government's launch last month of the National Intelligence Agency, often referred to as the "Japanese version of the CIA," and is intended to support the authorities in broader intelligence gathering and management.

The Japanese police are also reportedly planning to appoint a coordinating director-general in charge of international investigations and smartphone analysis, reflecting the reality that fraud crime bases have recently been established in regions such as Southeast Asia.

In addition, the National Police Agency announced that it will distribute body cameras to police officers nationwide for use during their duties.

Plans are also underway to upgrade systems for analyzing terrorism and illegal recruitment attempts via social media, including recruitment for illicit part-time jobs, as well as terrorist acts by so-called "lone wolves" carrying out isolated, radical attacks.

(Photo: Yonhap News)