Japan is devoting resources and formulating policy to develop a significant military presence in outer space. They are amending previous laws that banned the 'non-peaceful use of outer space' to enable them to defend themselves against emerging threats, specifically North Korea. They plan to launch several remote sensing and early warning satellites to monitor the situation in North Korea.
Keywords: Japan.
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Any analysis of Japanese ambitions to weaponize space must ultimately consider Japan's constitutional prohibition against offensive military capabilities. Since 1945, Japan has severely constrained its defense expenditures in deference to public support for that prohibition and the military security already provided by US forces. ( More ... ) Ziegler, David W. Safe Heavens: Military Strategy and Space Sanctuary Thought. Maxwell AFB, AL: USAF Air University, June 1997. [ 9 quotes ]
The number of states emphasizing the security uses of space in national policies continued to increase in 2005. In January, the Japanese government introduced a plan to deploy a new generation of spy satellites. Japan also continued talks with the US throughout 2005 on furthering missile defense cooperation. The Israeli Air Force unveiled plans in June to launch additional surveillance satellites to boost intelligence capabilities and to manufacture micro-satellites that could provide information on combat zones (see Space Support for Military Operations). In addition, Yuval Steinitz, chairman of Israel's Defense and Foreign Affairs Committee, stated that defense and industry officials should consider future developments of "anti-satellite missiles" and "satellite-attacking lasers." India also continued to pay greater attention to the military uses of space. The Indian Air Force urged the government to set up a Strategic Aerospace Command to purportedly facilitate the development of capabilities to degrade space weapons in preparation for "future star wars." While some reports contend that the government has rejected the proposals, Indian Air Force Chief S. P. Tyagi insists that the recommendations are still under consideration, particularly in light of the Parliamentary Standing Committee's declarations that India needs the ability to counter any threat from space. Media reports throughout 2005 revealed significant speculation about China's space capabilities and military-related space intentions, although Chinese officials maintain that the country's space program is solely for peaceful purposes. Collard-Wexler, Simon, Thomas Graham et al. Space Security 2006. Waterloo, Ontario: Space Security Index, July 2006. [ 26 quotes ] [ page 60 ]
A committee of the Japanese governing party approved a proposal Tuesday to allow the military use of the country's space program for the first time, a party official said. ... The planned legislation will let Japan launch a "high-performance reconnaissance satellite or an early warning satellite that will detect the launching of a ballistic missile," the Yomiuri Shimbun on Monday quoted the science minister as saying. ( More ... ) "Japan considers allowing military a role in space." International Herald Tribune. March 28, 2006.
Likewise, the Chinese action may spur Japan not only to speed its efforts at developing missile defenses but possibly to develop military space capabilities. "It may fuel the argument that Japan should develop space technology for national defense, especially as it came in the midst of the North Korean nuclear crisis," said Yasunori Matogawa, a professor of space engineering at the Institute of Space and Astronautical Science, part of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said Tokyo had demanded an explanation from the Chinese government; while Foreign Minister Taro Aso criticized Beijing for failing to give advance notice of the test which he doubted was for "peaceful use" of space. Japanese officials have continued to charge that the Chinese government has yet to give a full and credible account of the test and future plans. Hitchens, Theresa. "U.S.-Sino Relations in Space: From "War of Words" to Cold War in Space." China Security. (Winter 2007): 12-30. [ 6 quotes ] [ page 25 ]
Japan's multibillion-dollar intelligence-gathering satellite program, ostensibly for peaceful, non-military purposes, is expected to make significant headway with the successful launch of the nation's fourth such satellite, scheduled for Saturday afternoon. A successful launch of the new satellite would complete Japan's planned four-satellite system. Nevertheless, the nation will continue to rely heavily on the United States for satellite intelligence. Many experts agree that Japan needs to do much more, especially boosting both the number and quality of its intelligence-gathering satellites. The launch of the new satellite is part of Japan's recently accelerated efforts to boost its defense capabilities, including a missile-defense system, either on its own or with the US, amid skyrocketing concerns about neighboring North Korea's nuclear-weapons and missile programs. These concerns have not abated despite recent progress on the diplomatic front. Masaki, Hisane. "Japan: When a Spy Satellite isn't a Spy Satellite." Asia Times. February 24, 2007.
Some experts say that the number of spy satellites Japan has in orbit should be at least doubled to eight so that they can survey virtually any point in the world at least twice every day, instead of once every day under the four-satellite system. The US has at least 15 spy satellites in operation. The Japanese spy satellites are also much inferior to their US counterparts in quality. The US satellites have a much higher resolution. But the 1969 Diet resolution has been a constraint on significantly improving the quality of Japanese satellites. Diet resolutions are customarily adopted by consensus. Since it is almost impossible for the Diet to revise the 1969 resolution by consensus, Prime Minister Abe's Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) is strenuously trying to push through what it calls the "Basic Space Law" to allow the use of space for self-defense purposes. The legislation would call for setting up a Space Strategy Headquarters to promote comprehensive space-related policies. The three main pillars of the legislation would be: reinforcing the nation's security through the development and utilization of space; promoting space-related research and development; and promoting the development of the domestic space industry. Masaki, Hisane. "Japan: When a Spy Satellite isn't a Spy Satellite." Asia Times. February 24, 2007.