“Only qualified staff in dedicated spaces”: Japan steps up management of diplomatic secrets

【Financial News, Tokyo—Correspondent Seo Hye-jin】The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan will strengthen its system for protecting classified information to expand information sharing with key partner countries, including the United States and the United Kingdom. It plans to reduce the risk of information leaks by restricting the staff and locations handling classified information and overhauling its internal communications network.
According to the Nihon Keizai Shimbun (Nikkei), the ministry will apply enhanced security measures as early as fiscal 2027. Its goal is to meet security standards on par with those of the “Five Eyes,” the classified-information-sharing framework of the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
The ministry handles diplomatic cables sent by its overseas missions and classified information provided by other countries. As security cooperation with allies and friendly nations expands, it has also decided to strengthen the safeguards needed to exchange sensitive information.
In October 2025, the ministry introduced a new “Foreign Ministry Secret” classification, combining the existing “Top Secret” and “Secret” categories. It covers information that could harm the country’s security or interests if leaked, or that must not be disclosed to anyone other than those concerned. “Specified Secrets,” which are highly important to national security, are managed separately.
Only employees who meet qualifications set by the ministry itself may handle Foreign Ministry Secrets. Locations where related information is handled will also be restricted to dedicated spaces with security measures such as radio-wave shielding. As in other ministries, handlers of Specified Secrets must undergo a government suitability assessment.
The ministry will also overhaul its internal communications system for sending and receiving diplomatic cables and other information. It included about ¥14.6 billion for the overhaul in its fiscal 2027 budget request. The new system is targeted to begin operating by the end of that fiscal year.
The Five Eyes countries restrict the personnel and spaces handling classified information and operate separate communications networks. Japan also plans to establish a security system that countries providing information can trust as it expands cooperation with them.
The Takaichi Cabinet launched the National Intelligence Bureau, which oversees intelligence gathering and analysis, last July. Alongside strengthening intelligence capabilities, it is also pursuing improvements to the ministry’s classified-information management and communications infrastructure.


[email protected] Seo Hye-jin Reporter