The government set up a new terrorism intelligence unit Tuesday that will liaise with foreign agencies and collate data on incidents and threats
The Counterterrorism Unit-Japan will be led from the prime minister's office but will operate within the Foreign Ministry. Its creation was originally planned for next April but was brought forward in the wake of the Nov. 13 massacre in Paris.
The government aims to strengthen counterterror capabilities and to step up cooperation with the intelligence organs of other countries as it prepares for the Group of Seven summit in Mie Prefecture in May. The event will see the leaders of Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States gathering for talks in the Ise-Shima area.