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Japan Forward
11-07-2025
- Politics
- Japan Forward
Japan Shifts Space Policy from Science to Security
As space becomes a contested, congested, and competitive domain, Japan is rapidly transforming its approach to space development. A recent lecture by Mitsuru Nodomi, former Director of the Cabinet Satellite Intelligence Center (CSIC) and retired Ground Self-Defense Force official, highlighted the urgency of integrating space into Japan's broader national security strategy. From GPS dependency to satellite warfare, his insights reveal why Japan can no longer afford to treat space as a purely scientific endeavor. Japan's early space development efforts were largely civilian and academic, led by the Ministry of Education and focused on scientific research. This orientation was further codified by Japan's adherence to the 1967 Outer Space Treaty and the 1969 Diet resolution restricting space use to "non-military purposes." However, this stance began to shift in 1998 after North Korea launched a ballistic missile over Japanese territory. Within months, the Japanese government made an unprecedented Cabinet decision to launch its own information-gathering satellites. "That decision, made in just four months, marked a fundamental turning point," Nodomi explained. "Under normal circumstances, such a process would have taken years." Nodomi, who helped oversee Japan's information-gathering satellite programs, noted that this shift laid the groundwork for the current national space policy. The 2008 Basic Space Act formalized the integration of space into national defense, replacing "non-military" principles with a commitment to "non-aggressive" use. Mitsuru Nodomi Space is now integral to modern life, from GPS navigation and internet timing to financial markets and air traffic control. A loss of satellite function, Nodomi explained, could bring daily life to a halt. "A GPS outage wouldn't just affect your phone," he warned. "It would disrupt financial systems, power grids, and even air traffic. It's an invisible infrastructure we depend on every day." This dependency makes satellite infrastructure a tempting target. China, Russia, and others have already demonstrated anti-satellite capabilities. Japan, Nodomi emphasized, must be prepared to protect its own systems while remaining vigilant against adversarial threats. Nodomi identified three emerging trends: competition, congestion, and contestation. Space is no longer the exclusive domain of superpowers. Over 80 nations now possess satellites, and private companies like SpaceX have revolutionized launch frequency and cost. Japan's participation in the global space economy will depend on its ability to reduce launch costs and scale up production. "We're in a world where the number of actors in space has exploded," Nodomi said. "That means more debris, more potential collisions, and more risks, including military ones." The rise of commercial constellations such as Starlink introduces both opportunities and vulnerabilities. These networks offer high redundancy and low latency, but their proliferation has drastically increased the risk of orbital collisions and debris. China's 2007 anti-satellite missile test and Russia's 2021 satellite destruction created thousands of hazardous fragments. Nodomi also highlighted the growing use of small satellites for real-time imaging, surveillance, and communication. While cheaper and more agile, they require resilient architectures to ensure functionality amid potential attacks. The war in Ukraine has shown how space assets can alter battlefield dynamics. Ukraine, lacking its own satellite infrastructure, has leveraged commercial satellites for intelligence and communications. "Ukraine has no military satellites of its own," Nodomi noted. "But thanks to commercial constellations, it's been able to fight a 21st-century war. That's a game changer." The counteroffensive of the Ukraine forces near Bakhmut in May 2023 (©Serhii Nuzhnenko, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty/the Meanwhile, Russia's hesitancy to destroy United States commercial satellites used by Ukraine underscores the geopolitical risks of targeting space assets. Nodomi emphasized that modern combat depends on real-time intelligence, positioning data, and resilient communication links. All of these are satellite-dependent. In future conflicts, attacks on satellites or ground-based control centers, through missiles, cyberattacks, or jamming, are highly plausible. Japan has already taken steps to adapt. The CSIC is expanding its satellite constellation, aiming for 10 satellites by FY2031. The Japanese version of GPS, the MICHIBIKI system, is being expanded from 4 to 10 satellites. The Ministry of Defense is also expanding the Space Operations Group, originally established in 2022, with plans to significantly enhance its capabilities and mission scope by 2026. In 2022, Japan's National Security Strategy explicitly named "space security" for the first time. A year later, the government released a dedicated Space Security Initiative identifying anti-satellite weapons and space debris as key threats. The strategy also emphasized international cooperation, particularly with the US. "We've come a long way from the days of leaving space policy to science ministries," Nodomi said. "Now, it's about national survival." Despite these developments, Japan still faces major hurdles. Its domestic space industry lags behind competitors in launch frequency, satellite manufacturing, and solutions-based services. Rocket costs remain high, and the failure to scale small satellite launch platforms like Epsilon remains a concern. Nodomi noted that for Japan to become a true space power, it must foster a virtuous cycle between security and industry. "National security needs should drive technological innovation," he said. "That innovation, in turn, can fuel commercial growth, but only if we get the legal and policy environment right." Author: Daniel Manning
Yomiuri Shimbun
11-07-2025
- Politics
- Yomiuri Shimbun
Deployment of Osprey Aircraft: Govt Must Make Every Effort to Dispel Residents' Concerns
Even if effective defense equipment is procured, it will be meaningless if the understanding of the local communities where it will be deployed cannot be obtained. The government must do its utmost to dispel the concerns of residents. The Ground Self-Defense Force has opened Camp Saga next to Saga Airport. It plans to relocate 17 Osprey transport aircraft, which have been temporarily deployed at Camp Kisarazu in Chiba Prefecture, to Camp Saga by mid-August. To strengthen the defense system for the Nansei Islands, the government deployed the Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade, which is tasked with recapturing remote islands, to Camp Ainoura in Nagasaki Prefecture in 2018. The plan was to deploy Ospreys to Camp Saga, which is close to Camp Ainoura, and use them to transport Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade personnel, but the understanding of the Saga Prefecture side could not be obtained. Therefore, the Ospreys were sent to Camp Kisarazu as a temporary measure in 2020, and the central government has continued to hold discussions with the Saga prefectural government and other entities. With the opening of Camp Saga, it can be said that a system has finally been put in place to smoothly implement the operations to retake remote islands. The U.S.-made Osprey aircraft can fly at higher speeds and has a longer range than conventional helicopters. The aircraft may be used not only for contingency operations, but also for rescue operations in times of disasters. It is hoped that the GSDF will continue training and prepare for emergency situations. However, there are still many people in Saga Prefecture who have concerns about the deployment of the Osprey aircraft, as accidents involving similar models have continued both in Japan and overseas. In 2023, an Osprey belonging to the U.S. military crashed off the coast of Yakushima Island in Kagoshima Prefecture, killing eight personnel. The U.S. military attributed the accident to a gearbox failure, among other reasons, but how the problem occurred is still unknown. In the first place, an Osprey has the functions of both a helicopter and a fixed-wing aircraft. Both the Japanese and U.S. governments must thoroughly strengthen safety measures to ensure that there are no structural mechanical problems with the aircraft. With the worsening security environment, more people have recently come to appreciate the activities of the Self-Defense Forces. However, it is unacceptable that the Defense Ministry and the SDF are poorly handling the issue of the flight operations of fighter aircraft. The Air Self-Defense Force plans to deploy eight F-35Bs, the most advanced U.S.-made stealth fighter aircraft, to Nyutabaru Air Base in Miyazaki Prefecture. The ASDF intends to increase the number of F-35Bs to 42 in the future. The aircraft are characterized by their ability to land vertically and are envisioned for use on vessels, such as the Kaga destroyer, which is currently undergoing repairs to fix its decks. The ASDF initially told residents near Nyutabaru Air Base that, in principle, the aircraft would not perform vertical landings. However, in February this year, it changed its explanation to say the aircraft would do so about 100 times a month. It said that as vertical landings take time, the noise would be heard for some time. In response to opposition from the residents, Defense Minister Gen Nakatani apologized and said new measures would be taken. The defense minister himself should visit the area and try to explain the situation. (From The Yomiuri Shimbun, July 11, 2025)
Japan Today
09-07-2025
- Politics
- Japan Today
Japan starts deploying Ospreys at new base to beef up southwest defense
By MARI YAMAGUCHI The Japanese army on Wednesday began deploying its fleet of V-22 Ospreys on a newly opened permanent base in southwestern Japan, in the country's latest move to strengthen its defense as tensions in the region grow. The first of the fleet of 17 Ospreys arrived at its new home base of Camp Saga in Saga Prefecture, Japan's Ground Self-Defense Force said, with the rest to come by mid-August. The move is part of Japan's accelerating military buildup, especially in the southwest, meant as a deterrence to China 's increasingly assertive maritime actions in the area. Japan plans to operate the Ospreys more closely with the amphibious rapid deployment brigade at Ainoura, in the nearby naval town of Sasebo, as part of the plan to reinforce the defense of remote southwestern islands, Defense Minister Gen Nakatani told reporters Tuesday. 'The security environment surrounding Japan has been increasingly severe, and it is our pressing task to strengthen our island defense capabilities,' he said. The use of the V-22 remains controversial in Japan, especially in the south, due to a series of accidents involving the aircraft. Dozens of protesters stood outside Camp Saga, chanting, 'Get out Osprey!' One of them, Osamu Rikihisa, said, 'You never know when another Osprey crashes again.' In November 2023, a U.S. Air Force Osprey crashed off Japan's southern coast, killing eight people. In October 2024, a Japanese army V-22 Osprey tilted and hit the ground while attempting to take off during a joint exercise with the U.S. military. An investigation found human error to be the cause. Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, in his election campaign speech Wednesday in Saga, said Ospreys are significantly superior to conventional helicopters and can 'bolster Japan's security and disaster relief operations.' © Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
Toronto Star
09-07-2025
- Politics
- Toronto Star
Japan starts deploying Osprey fleet at a new base with an eye on China
HIROSHIMA, Japan (AP) — The Japanese army on Wednesday began deploying its fleet of V-22 Ospreys on a newly opened permanent base in southwestern Japan, in the country's latest move to strengthen its defense as tensions in the region grow. The first of the fleet of 17 Ospreys arrived at its new home base of Camp Saga, Japan's Ground Self-Defense Force said, with the rest to come by mid-August.
Time of India
09-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Japan starts deploying Osprey fleet at a new base with an eye on China
The Japanese army on Wednesday began deploying its fleet of V-22 Ospreys on a newly opened permanent base in southwestern Japan, in the country's latest move to strengthen its defense as tensions in the region grow. The first of the fleet of 17 Ospreys arrived at its new home base of Camp Saga, Japan's Ground Self-Defense Force said, with the rest to come by mid-August. The move is part of Japan's accelerating military buildup, especially in the southwest, meant as a deterrence to China 's increasingly assertive maritime actions in the area. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Airlines Don't Want You to Know This Secret for Cheap Flight Cheaper Flights | search ads Read More Undo Japan plans to operate the Ospreys more closely with the amphibious rapid deployment brigade at Ainoura, in the nearby naval town of Sasebo, as part of the plan to reinforce the defense of remote southwestern islands, Defense Minister Gen Nakatani told reporters Tuesday. "The security environment surrounding Japan has been increasingly severe, and it is our pressing task to strengthen our island defense capabilities," he said. Live Events The use of the V-22 remains controversial in Japan, especially in the south, due to a series of accidents involving the aircraft. Dozens of protesters stood outside Camp Saga, chanting, "Get out Osprey!" One of them, Osamu Rikihisa, said, "You never know when another Osprey crashes again." In November 2023, a U.S. Air Force Osprey crashed off Japan's southern coast, killing eight people. In October 2024, a Japanese army V-22 Osprey tilted and hit the ground while attempting to take off during a joint exercise with the U.S. military. An investigation found human error to be the cause. Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, in his election campaign speech Wednesday in Saga, said Ospreys are significantly superior to conventional helicopters and can "bolster Japan's security and disaster relief operations."
