▲ Outline of defense plan finalized by Japanese government in December last year
The Japanese government insists that it is a defense against the attack of Chinese or Russian military satellites, but the anti-satellite operation is expected to be controversial as it will actually have attack capabilities in space.
The Yomiuri Shimbun reported Monday that the Japanese government is investigating possible interruption technologies to launch an interfering satellite in the mid-2020s that would otherwise interfere with foreign military satellites.
The Japanese government plans to make a final decision on whether to introduce a disturbing satellite next year based on the survey.
Interfering satellites are satellites that neutralize other countries' military satellites in outer space.
The Japanese government plans to create a space force on the Self-Defense Forces next year, which is expected to operate a sabotage satellite.
The newspaper explained that the Self-Defense Forces used information gathering satellites, telecommunications satellites, and geodetic satellites, but they did not have the ability to defend against satellites. .
According to the newspaper, the reason why the Japanese government considers the operation of jamming satellites is that China and Russia are developing a so-called killer satellite (satellite attack satellite) and need to be able to defend it.
In China, we are developing a killer satellite with a 'robot arm' and preparing for commercial use.
The newspaper said a Japanese government official said that Japan's Aerospace Research and Development Agency (JAXA) already has satellite 'robot arm' technology.
The interfering satellite that Japan is pushing to introduce is expected to be virtually similar to a killer satellite in terms of its ability to neutralize other satellites.
As a result, there is concern that the Japanese government will break the principle of transmission in defense, which can only be exercised in the event of an attack, in space.
In 2008, the Japanese government enacted the Framework Act on Space, which states that it will promote the use of space development, which contributes to Japan's safety, taking into account the ideology of defense.
In addition, the Japanese government has a plan to develop a device that intercepts foreign satellites and AWACS with electromagnetic waves in case of emergency.
The disturbance equipment for the AWACS will be developed in-vehicle, and the interference equipment for the satellites will be developed in the ground.
The Japanese government first plans to complete the AWACS jammer by the mid-2020s.
(Photo = Yonhap News)