Japan considering registration system for foreign agents

The National Police Agency is leading Japan's designing of a system to regulate acts by foreign agents aimed at exerting undue influence on politics and administration. | FRANCIS TANG

Jiji

Nov 2, 2026

The administration of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is considering introducing a registration system for foreign agents as part of its planned antiespionage legislation.

Under the expected system, individuals and organizations that collect information or engage in influence operations on behalf of foreign governments would be obliged to register, so that such activities would be made visible.

The government plans to submit related legislation to the Diet, the country’s parliament, as early as next spring. It set up a panel of experts to discuss strengthening intelligence capabilities and presented a concrete plan for the registration system at a meeting last week.

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