Japan Enhances Its Space Defenses

Kyodo News reported Aug. 3 that Japan intends to involve its armed forces in a plan to set up a space monitoring force by 2019 to improve the country's situational awareness in space. The Japan Self-Defense Forces reportedly will man and operate radar and optical facilities in Okayama prefecture by coordinating closely with Japan Space Forum's radar facility in Kagamino and telescopic facility in Ihara. In taking this step, Japan is continuing its long-standing effort to augment its space capabilities in order to deter and protect against the use of counter-space technologies, particularly by China.