Japan Establishes 'Uchujakjeondae'... Expanding to 120 Members in 2023

Taro Kono, Japanese Minister of Defense (Photo by Yonhap News)

[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Jiwon] The Japan Air Self-Defense Force is establishing a Space Operations Squadron.

According to the Asahi Shimbun and Mainichi Shimbun on the 9th, the Japan Air Self-Defense Force plans to establish its first space-specialized unit, the "Space Operations Squadron," on the 18th.

Japanese Defense Minister Taro Kono announced this plan at a press conference the day before. The Space Operations Squadron is expected to be launched at the Fuchu Base in Tokyo with about 20 personnel.

The unit's mission is to protect Japan's satellites from space debris, such as rocket parts, drifting in space.

Defense Minister Kono explained, "(The Space Operations Squadron) will conduct activities to ensure the stable use of outer space," adding, "Space is an important new domain alongside cyber and electromagnetic waves."

The Ministry of Defense is reportedly planning to expand the squadron to about 120 personnel by 2023 so that it can carry out full-scale space surveillance missions.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.