---
title: "Japan Is Launching Its Own Space Defense Unit"
description: "In April, Japan will launch the Space Domain Mission Unit to protect its space-based assets, according to an Associated Press story."
date: "2020-01-22"
modified: "2020-01-22"
authors:
  - name: "Kristin Houser"
    link: "https://futurism.com/authors/kristin"
url: "https://futurism.com/the-byte/japan-launching-space-defense-unit"
categories:
  - "Off-World"
  - "Space"
tags:
  - "Japan"
  - "space command"
  - "space warfare"
  - "the digest"
---

# Japan Is Launching Its Own Space Defense Unit

![In April, Japan will launch the Space Domain Mission Unit to protect its space-based assets, according to an Associated Press story.](<https://futurism.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/japan-launching-space-defense-unit.jpg>)
*\<em\>Image: NASA/JAXA/Victor Tangermann\</em\>*

## Star Wars

Japan is following the [United States' lead](<https://futurism.com/the-byte/us-space-command-launch>) and creating a military unit dedicated to space.

On Monday, Prime Minister Shinzō Abe announced during a policy speech that Japan will establish its own space defense unit to protect its orbital assets, [according to the *Associated Press*](<https://apnews.com/2d88b7c34a5d004eaa59791b8587579d>).

## Mission Control

The Space Domain Mission Unit will launch in April and will be a part of Japan's Air Self-Defense Force. Initially, it will have a staff of approximately 20 people at Fuchū Air Base, but that number will increase following a full launch in 2022.

The Space Domain Mission Unit will be tasked with defending Japanese satellites from attacks, as well as "conduct\[ing\] satellite-based navigation and communications for other troops in the field, rather than being on the ground," the *AP* reports.

## Space Allies

Japan plans for the unit to work closely with the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, the national equivalent of NASA, as well as the [U.S. Space Command](<https://futurism.com/the-byte/space-command-warfighting-domain>).

"We have elevated the relationship to one in which each of us, the U.S. and Japan, protects the other, thereby giving further force to the alliance," Abe said during his speech, [according to *Defense Connect*](<https://www.defenceconnect.com.au/key-enablers/5453-japan-stands-up-space-force-equivalent-as-space-race-heats-up>). "Going forward, it is incumbent upon us to make it even more robust, to make it a pillar for safeguarding peace and security in both outer space and cyber space."

**READ MORE:** [Abe says new unit will defend Japan from space tech threats](<https://apnews.com/2d88b7c34a5d004eaa59791b8587579d>) \[*Associated Press*\]

**More on space warfare:** *[Head of US Space Command: Space Is "Clearly a Warfighting Domain"](<https://futurism.com/the-byte/space-command-warfighting-domain>)*

### Author social links  
[LinkedIn](<https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristinjhouser>)