Quentin Verspieren, The University of Tokyo
Keywords: Space Operations Squadron; Japanese Air Self-Defense Forces; Space Situational Awareness; Space Domain Awareness
Abstract:
The Ministry of Defense of Japan has established on 18 May 2020 a Space Operations Squadron at the Japan Air Self-Defense Forces (JASDF). Being the first unit officially devoted to space activities in the history of the Japanese armed forces, it is expected to play a core role in the progressive development of space-related capabilities for national defense. Currently only partially staffed and equipped, the squadron has yet to reach its cruising speed. This article explains the reasons for the very late development of military space capabilities in the Japanese armed forces and investigates the expected impact of this new squadron, domestically and concerning relations with Japans allies worldwide.
In 1969, the National Diet passed a resolution restricting the use of space technology to exclusively peaceful purposes, hence strongly limiting the ability of the SDF to rely on this critical infrastructure. Although a series of governmental decisions relaxed the constraints established by the 1969 Diet resolution, it was only with the enactment of the Basic Space Law of 2008 that the uses of space for national security became authorized and encouraged by the Government of Japan. After more than ten years of political, academic and inter-ministerial discussions, the government released in December 2018 two key national defense planning documents placing the emphasis on the development of cross-domain capabilities, and a fortiori of space capabilities: the National Defense Program Guidelines for FY2019 and Beyond and the Mid-Term Defense Program (FY2019-FY2023). One of the main instructions of these planning documents was the creation of a space unit at the JASDF. Since then, and the official establishment of the Space Operations Squadron, numerous questions remain with regards to its actual functioning: what will be the exact missions of the squadron? When will it reach its final size (around 100 personnel)? What will be the profiles and fields of expertise of the squadrons personnel? How will the squadron cooperate with both domestic counterparts (e.g. Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency) and foreign allied militaries? What concrete technical capabilities will be developed at the SDF to enable the squadrons missions? Etc.
This article proposes the first comprehensive analysis the newest structure of the Japanese SDF, relying on available documents and on interviews of direct stakeholders. It is organized as follows. After providing a brief historical overview of Japans complicated relations with the military uses of outer space, this article details the progressive development of strategies and associated capabilities having led in 2020 to the creation of the Space Operations Squadron. Then, it proposes a detailed evaluation of the squadrons current status and provides a realistic outlook on its expected build-up in the next few years and on its concrete impact on domestic and international space activities, based on a careful assessment of Japans whole-of-government approach to space security. A special emphasis is placed on the development of space situational or domain awareness capabilities at the Japanese SDF and the contribution of this new structure to space security, safety and sustainability.
Date of Conference: September 14-17, 2021
Track: SSA/SDA