Translation guide
An intelligence agency is a government organization that gathers, analyzes, and uses information to protect national security. In Japanese, the most common term is 情報機関 (jōhō kikan), but specific agencies have their own names.
Referring to any government body that collects and analyzes intelligence
The standard, neutral term for any intelligence agency. Suitable for formal and informal contexts.
その情報機関は国際的なテロ対策に取り組んでいる。
That intelligence agency is working on international counterterrorism.
A more formal or literary term emphasizing espionage and covert information gathering. Often used in news or historical contexts.
冷戦時代、各国の諜報機関が活発に活動していた。
During the Cold War, intelligence agencies of various countries were actively operating.
Referring to well-known agencies like the CIA or MI6
Most major intelligence agencies have established Japanese names, often abbreviated or transliterated. Use these when referring to a specific organization.
CIAはアメリカの情報機関です。
The CIA is an American intelligence agency.
MI6はイギリスの対外情報機関だ。
MI6 is the UK's foreign intelligence agency.
Referring to the broader system of intelligence agencies and their interactions
A direct translation of 'intelligence community,' used in political and security discussions. Less common than 情報機関 but understood in context.
日本の情報コミュニティーは複数の機関から成り立っている。
Japan's intelligence community consists of multiple agencies.
Japan's primary intelligence agency, often abbreviated as 内調 (Naichō). Use when referring to Japan's own intelligence apparatus.
内閣情報調査室は日本の情報機関の中核を担っている。
The Cabinet Intelligence and Research Office plays a central role in Japan's intelligence agencies.