Former top British spy says trust between allies is key in turbulent world

InterviewEx-MI6 head Richard Moore extols ties with Japan and discusses China, RussiaFormer MI6 chief Richard Moore believes that Britain and Japan are natural partners due to close cultural ties and a similar world view. (Photo by Tomoko Nagakawa)CARLA MESSINGERAugust 8, 2026 07:25 JSTLONDON -- When Richard Moore took the reins as the head of Britain's secret intelligence service MI6 in October 2020, he did something that no other top spy in the country had ever done -- he announced his arrival with a tweet and an emoji.