Public Security Intelligence Agency

Public Security Intelligence Agency
公安調査庁
Kōanchōsa-chō
Agency overview
Formed July 21, 1952
Jurisdiction Government of Japan
Headquarters Chiyoda, Tokyo, Japan
Employees +/- 1,500 officers[1]
Annual budget 15,099,256,683 Yen (As of 2006)
Minister responsible
Agency executive
Parent agency Japanese Ministry of Justice
Website Official Site (Japanese)
PSIA building

The Public Security Intelligence Agency (公安調査庁 kōanchōsa-chō) is the national intelligence agency of Japan. It is administered by the Ministry of Justice in the government of Japan, and is tasked with internal security and espionage against threats to Japanese national security based on the Subversive Activities Prevention Act.[2][3]

As the national agency with the role to collect intelligence information, the PSIA contributes to Japanese government policy by providing relevant organizations with necessary foreign and domestic data (collected through investigations and intelligence activities) on subversive organizations.[2] It's also known that the PSIA is responsible for conducting surveillance and intelligence-related work on Zainichi Koreans on Japanese soil.[2] It conducts its operations on domestic soil.[4]

History

The Public Security Intelligence Agency was established with the enforcement of the Subversive Activities Prevention Law on July 21, 1952.[3]

Initially focusing on threats from pro-left wing groups such as the Japanese Red Army during the days of the Cold War, it began to conduct intelligence work on the Aum Shinrikyo after the Sarin gas attack on the Tokyo subway in 1995[2] with criticism that the PSIA did not monitor the group, especially with their attempt to acquire and stockpile biological weapons on Japanese soil[4] The PSIA had cooperated with the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department Public Security Bureau in investigating Aum Shinrikyo for a number of years. When asked about their investigation on the cult, a PSIA report had said "There has been no change in its dangerous nature. Strict surveillance is essential."[5]

The PSIA had investigated Aum Shinrikyo when it was revealed that the group had established software firms that could pose security risks to Japan.[6]

Chongryon has been under PSIA surveillance for a long time, suspecting it of supposedly performing espionage activities in Japanese soil.[7] The Japanese Ministry of Justice has sought ¥270 million to fund the PSIA on conducting intelligence against North Korean espionage activities.[8]

The PSIA had been supposed to be integrated with Naicho in order to reorient the agency to a post-Cold War and to enhance Naicho's resources, but the proposal was not adopted.[4]

An investigation into French Al-Qaeda terrorist Lionel Dumont had been the responsibility of the PSIA in 2004.[9] The PSIA raided the headquarters of Fumihiro Joyu's Hikari no Wa on May 10, 2007.[10] Despite insistence from Joyu that his group had ended ties with Aum Shinrikyo, a PSIA official warned that his group has ties to Shoko Asahara.[11]

In the wake of Kim Jong-il's death, the PSIA reported that they are doing intelligence work on North Korea by conducting intelligence work towards Chongryon, as they had remitted money and gifts to North Korea before sanctions were handed to the communist nation.[12]

Organization

The PSIA is formed with the current organization:[13]

Foreign ties

The PSIA has ties to several foreign intelligence as security agencies, including the CIA, FBI, Mossad, RAW and MI6, with several PSIA agents being invited to train with the CIA under its Intelligence Analysis Course.[14]

Investment Allegation

There had been some suggestion that Chongryon's head office in Chiyoda had been sold to Shigetake Ogata, an ex-director-general of the PSIA under the agency's influence. A PSIA press statement cleared this allegation when it said that it denied being involved in the deal between Chongryon and Ogata.[15]

Ogata had been arrested for alleged fraud, which he had denied.[16] Ogata had been later charged with fraud after he admitted that he did so.[17]

Known Directors-General of PSIA

References

  1. ↑ The National Institute for Defense Studies News, May 2006. Retrieved on June 10, 2008.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Public Security Investigation Agency. Retrieved on January 5, 2008.
  3. 1 2 HISTORICAL BACKGROUND, Official PSIA Webpage. Retrieved on January 5, 2008.
  4. 1 2 3 Japan's Growing Intelligence Capabilities, Andrew Oros. Retrieved on June 9, 2008.
  5. ↑ JAPANESE OFFICIALS FEAR RESURGENCE OF AUM SHINRI KYO CULT.
  6. ↑ Aum Shinri-kyo Updates (CESNUR) - April 10-17, 2000.
  7. ↑ Chongryun never gets out from under a cloud. Retrieved on March 31, 2008.
  8. ↑ "Japan Primer". University of Texas. 2007. Retrieved 2007-10-06.
  9. ↑ Al-Qaeda agent lived quiet life in Niigata Retrieved on April 1, 2008.
  10. ↑ Cult group of former Aum official inspected by public safety agency. Retrieved on May 10, 2007.
  11. ↑ Joyu-led splinter cult raided, Aum guru images found. Retrieved on March 31, 2008.
  12. ↑ Japan Raises Info-Gathering Activities in Response to Kim Jong-il’s Death
  13. ↑ ORGANIZATION, Official PSIA Webpage.
  14. ↑ Koancho.
  15. 1 2 Chongryun HQ sold to ex-intelligence head. Retrieved on March 31, 2008.
  16. ↑ Ex-security agency chief held for Chongryun deal.
  17. ↑ Former security chief admits fraud. Retrieved on April 1, 2008.
  18. 1 2 Chongryun Tokyo HQ sale seems set to fail. Retrieved on March 31, 2008.
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