The Japan Ministry of Defense (JMOD) intends to revamp the space domain capabilities of the Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF) by constructing a new 323.2 billion-yen (approx. 2.2 billion USD) ‘satellite constellation’ capable of tracking multiple suspicious targets in real time, according to local news reports citing insiders familiar with the matter.
JMOD is also expected to seek a further 135.3 billion yen (approx. 929 million USD) to design and manufacture a successor to another satellite it uses for military communications which is due to cease operation in fiscal 2030. Sources have also revealed that JMOD is preparing to rename the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) to the ‘Air and Space Self-Defense Force’ and is planning to establish under that service a ‘Space Operations Unit’.
Japan’s satellite constellation is expected to be comprised of multiple small-scale satellites operating at low-orbit. The satellites are expected to be capable of working in unison to gather from outer space information on other orbiting objects and to precisely monitor suspicious targets as well as identify potential launch sites in real time.
These developments coincide with North Korea’s launch into orbit last year of a reconnaissance satellite and Pyongyang’s continued testing of inter-continental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) which in future could be fitted with miniaturized nuclear warheads. JMOD has also identified Hypersonic Glide Vehicles (HGVs), which are being developed by China and Russia, as potential threats that Tokyo needs to be able to effectively detect, track, and intercept from space.
JMOD announced in its 2022 Defense Buildup Program the need for a dramatic improvement in Japan’s Space Domain Awareness (SDA), as well as Space Domain information-gathering and communications capabilities. Most notably, SDA satellites are expected to be launched in 2026 and further studies on the operation of multiple SDA satellites have been envisioned. JMOD and the JSDF are also committed to improving those satellite-based capabilities for the detection and tracking of HGVs.
A fully capable satellite constellation system has also been considered to be indispensable in realizing Japan’s commitment to acquire counterstrike capabilities. This is because the ability to leverage stand-off defense capabilities in response to an armed attack on Japanese territory requires accurate and timely identification and monitoring of potential targets.
Japan’s prospective satellite constellation for the identification and monitoring of targets is expected to be comprised of both optical and synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellites, according to Yomiuri Shimbun. The former type use sunlight to capture images of the Earth’s surface while the latter are able to observe radio waves to identify target objects. However, it has been pointed out by University of Tokyo’s Professor Kazuto SUZUKI that, in order to also establish a network effective against HGVs, Japan would need to acquire thousands of satellites. These in turn would require the costly and time-consuming development of infrared sensors capable of capturing objects flying at hypersonic speeds.
JMOD considers cooperation with the U.S as well as increased access to commercial satellite imagery as viable solutions in bolstering Japanese SDA capabilities. The Center for Strategic & International Studies (CSIS) has recommended that the Japanese government accelerates technological collaboration with space firms in the U.S. as it is the private sector there that is responsible for developing and operating American satellite and constellation technology.
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