 "In a first, non-member Japan hosts Five Eyes intelligence group")
The Five Eyes intelligence-sharing alliance held its first meeting in non-member Japan on Wednesday (November 20), reflecting the country’s increasing role in Indo-Pacific security and intelligence efforts, particularly concerning China.
Senior enlisted service members participated in the meeting to exchange information from field operations and discuss successes and challenges within their ranks.
Japan’s Self-Defense Forces (SDF) were represented by Kai Osamu, senior enlisted adviser to the chief of staff of the Joint Staff, Nikkei reported.
Senior advisers from the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, Indo-Pacific Command, and US Forces Japan also took part.
Japan’s increasing role in Five Eyes
This marks the second time Japan has engaged publicly in a Five Eyes-related dialogue. In October, the SDF joined a meeting in Canada for the first time, focusing on operational cooperation at the ground level rather than leadership discussions.
Hosting this week’s meeting in Japan points to the country’s its expanding role as a vital intelligence-gathering location in the Indo-Pacific, Nikkei said in its report.
With China imposing stricter controls on information, some Five Eyes countries have established intelligence bases in Japan to improve regional monitoring capabilities.
Canada has also recently expanded its presence in Japan, establishing a new Indo-Pacific-focused position in its Tokyo embassy and appointing a specialist to oversee matters related to China.
What is the Five Eyes alliance?
The Five Eyes alliance, originally formed by the US and the UK during World War II, later included Australia, Canada, and New Zealand. Its purpose was to facilitate cooperation in signals intelligence (SIGINT) among these English-speaking nations.
The alliance presently operates under the principle of “full exchange,” meaning intelligence is shared by default among members, barring specific exceptions.
In recent years, the Five Eyes alliance has addressed emerging global threats, including cyber espionage, terrorism, and geopolitical challenges.
With inputs from agencies
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