Washington DC, July 13 -- Japan is undertaking an ambitious effort to establish its first centralised intelligence agency since World War II, seeking guidance from Western Allies including the United States, Australia and Germany amid growing security threats from China, Russia and North Korea, the New York Times (NYT) reported.

According to the NYT, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's government has privately consulted partners in recent months on issues including technology, staffing and operational priorities for the proposed intelligence agency.

The news report said that intelligence officials from the United States have provided input on cyber defence systems, countering industrial espionage, and strengthening scrutiny of foreign inves...