Human Rights Watch (HRW) has called on Japan's government, led by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, to ensure that proposed anti-espionage and foreign agent registration bills do not violate domestic and international human rights norms.
In a statement released on May 26, 2026, HRW emphasized that any national security legislation must strike a balance between protecting the country and safeguarding fundamental human rights. The organization recommended that Tokyo make the law-making process transparent and avoid vague provisions that could be misused to restrict freedom of speech, freedom of assembly, or suppress dissenting voices.
Japan is currently considering new legal frameworks to bolster its counter-intelligence capabilities and regulate the activities of foreign entities and individuals. However, analysts and civil society groups have expressed concerns that these measures could be applied too broadly, affecting legitimate diplomatic, journalistic, and academic activities.
