Tokyo: Japan’s space defence reforms advanced after parliament gave final approval to legislation creating the country’s Air and Space Self-Defence Forces.
The bill passed the upper house after earlier clearing the lower house, according to Nikkei. The government plans to complete a partial reorganisation of the existing Air Self-Defence Force by the end of March 2027.
Japan will also establish a Space Operations Command. The unit will oversee the launch and operation of military spacecraft under the new structure.
The reform will create additional deputy minister posts to manage space and defence policy. Officials said the changes form part of a wider effort to strengthen Japan’s national security capabilities.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said the government wanted to improve intelligence analysis, crisis prevention and systems to protect national interests.
The initiative also aims to deepen security cooperation with the United States and other partners in near-Earth space.
Japanese military officers have already been assigned to the headquarters of France’s military space command.
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Tokyo also plans to expand cooperation with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization in the space domain.
The move marks another step in Japan’s effort to adapt its defence structure to emerging space-based risks and military technologies.
