Japan Adopts First Space Security Initiative

The Japanese government has adopted its first set of policy guidelines on space security to counter perceived growing threats posed by China and Russia from and in outer space.

The Space Security Initiative, which was approved by the government's Space Development Strategy Headquarters on June 13, outlines the country’s space security policy over the next decade. It represents a major shift in Japan’s space posture by focusing on the use of space-based technology to complement its defense requirements.

“Today, the human race is expanding its activities in outer space in earnest, and space systems such as artificial satellites firmly support information and telecommunications, disaster response, and security,” said Prime Minister Kishida Fumio, who chaired the conference on June 13.

“We will drastically expand the use of space-based systems for security,” the premier said, instructing relevant ministers to work together.

The Space Security Initiative, which is based on the National Security Strategy (NSS) approved in December 2022, focuses on three approaches to bolster space security over the coming decade.

First, Japan intends to ensure its security by strengthening space utilization by the Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF) and Japan Coast Guard, including the deployment of quasi-zenith satellites.

Tokyo especially aims to establish an enhanced missile defense system that can detect, track, and intercept hypersonic weapons, such as hypersonic glide vehicles (HGVs), in cooperation with the United States, with an eye on North Korea.

It plans to establish a multilayered and redundant satellite communication network that utilizes satellites in geostationary orbit as well as satellites in low orbit (such as commercial communication satellite constellations and optical communication satellite constellations). This network will give the Ministry of Defense and the JSDF the capacity to deal with improved jamming capabilities by neighboring countries, the Space Security Initiative says.

This approach also encompasses efforts to enhance space communications and satellite imagery analysis using artificial intelligence.

Under the second approach, Japan will strength security in space by enhancing space situational awareness (SSA) and space domain awareness (SDA) systems in cooperation with the United States and like-minded countries.

Specifically, Tokyo will participate in both the Combined Space Operations Center (CSpOC) run by the U.S., the U.K., Australia, and Canada, and the Combined Space Operations (CSpO) initiative run by the U.S., the U.K., Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Germany, and France. Together with those nations, Japan is striving to strengthen efforts to defend both public and private satellites, the new space policy said.

Under the third approach, Japan aims to support and foster the space industry with a public-private partnership. It plans to strengthen cooperation between the Ministry of Defense and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) in promoting the use of private-sector technology.

“We will formulate a new space technology strategy to strengthen JAXA’s research and development capabilities,” Kishida said at the conference. “We will boost JAXA’s ability to provide funds to companies and universities and accelerate innovation through public-private partnerships.”

Until 2008, when the Basic Space Law was enacted, Japan had for many years adopted a concept that development and utilization of space should be conducted “exclusively for peaceful purposes,” not allowing the JSDF to use space for defense purposes at all.

With its first Space Security Initiative, it is safe to say Tokyo has finally resolved the disconnect between security and space development. Japan will now develop a space security policy like those of other countries. That’s part of a larger, long-term process of Japan returning to the status of “a normal nation” in the defense realm, following the decision to pursue offensive capabilities to strike against enemy missile bases in the event of an armed attack on the nation in December 2022.

Cybersecurity and drones are other security domains Japan needs to shore up to catch up with other major countries such as China and Russia.