Japanese lower house approves bill to establish national intelligence committee, sparking protests

Japan's House of Representatives approved a bill to establish a national intelligence committee on Thursday, prompting widespread public questions and concerns. In March, the Japanese government approved a resolution to submit the relevant bill to the Diet, proposing a new intelligence mechanism centered on a national intelligence council with the national intelligence committee serving as its executive body.

According to the bill, the new committee will be tasked with coordinating "important intelligence activities" in areas such as national security and counter-terrorism, as well as "overseas intelligence activities" involving foreign espionage.

The bill also states that the committee's secretariat will "comprehensively coordinate" intelligence work across government ministries and agencies, with the authority to request that they share information.

The bill now moves to the upper house for review.

The bill and a series of reckless moves by the Takaichi administration have fueled deep public concern. Protesters gathered to voice their opposition to the legislation before its passage.

"Right now, the Takaichi administration is trying to drag Japan into war, through actions like promoting weapons imports and exports, provoking China, and failing to offer the apologies it should have made afterward. Against this backdrop, opposition voices are actually quite strong, but these remarks will be regulated. Once such a bill passes, not even opposing voices will be able to speak out. This is something I do not want to see," said a protester.

These grave concerns were widely echoed by other rally attendees, who said they cannot accept a string of radical moves by the Japanese government and the Takaichi administration, including the lifting of the ban on lethal weapons exports and the relentless push to amend Japan's pacifist constitution.

"Takaichi is forcing all of these moves through. Promoting this bill and lifting the ban on arms exports mean heading towards war," said another rally participant.

"I believe amending the Constitution is completely unacceptable. The Constitution is not something that members of the National Diet can revise on a whim, and it should never be revised in the first place," said another protester.

Japanese lower house approves bill to establish national intelligence committee, sparking protests

China-Italy auto partnership is under spotlight at the ongoing Milan Design Week, with electronic vehicles on display across the city's Chinatown, highlighting the future of mobility.

The Milan Design Week from April 20 to 26 features exhibits that explore everything from automotive and art industries to AI and robotics.

Amid rising fuel prices triggered by the conflict in the Middle East, the event focuses on the global electric transition, and China's growing role worldwide.

"Of course Chinese cars are leading the way in electrification. The percentage of electric cars in China is almost 30 percent of the total market," said Andrea Levy, president of the Milan-Monza and Turin Motor Show.

Seeking to enhance its position in the electric vehicle market, Italy is collaborating with China, combining its tradition of craftsmanship, with Chinese advances in technology and innovation.

"A lot of Chinese companies have established their research centers, design centers in Italy, in Milan and Torino -- such as Changan, such as Geely, such as even Great Wall, even Dongfeng," said Winnie Gao, secretary general of the Turin Automotive Design Award. From engineering to aesthetics, the collaboration is reshaping how the next generation of cars will look and perform.

The EU aims to phase out new petrol and diesel cars by 2035, but adoption of electric vehicles has been uneven. Italy has one of the slowest uptakes, with just 6.2 percent of market share last year.

"I think it's a kind of cultural resistance. We like the tradition and we're a little bit scared of changes. Now with electric cars, it also requires a change of attitude," said Levy.

The car show is part of the Milan Design Week, one of Italy's most prestigious cultural events. Zona Sarpi, the city's Chinatown, is a key location.

"Every year, it is more important. There are Xiaohongshu and Yadea and many important designers. Here in Zona Sarpi, Italians can learn even more about our culture," said Angela Zhou, Zona Sarpi organizer of the Milan Design Week.

Milan Design Week spotlights China-Italy auto partnership as EV transition accelerates