to act without approval from the PSEC, an ad hoc body that meets only when required. According to Philip H.J. Davies and Kristian Gustafson, the PSIA operates similarly to the British security agency MI5 since officers have no rights to arrest anyone during a law enforcement operation nor force anyone to be involved in an investigation. The criticism was especially made after public discovery that the agency did not move against Aum Shinrikyo. Due to the strict legal framework surrounding the agency it had not been given permission to monitor the organization directly until 2000, despite having requested permission from the PSEC in 1996. See also Kenpeitai Notes References Bibliography External links Official Website Official Website (Current) Official Website (Archive) Japanese intelligence agencies Domestic intelligence agencies