Photo/Illutration Brig. Gen. Anthony J. Mastalir, commander of U.S. Space Forces Indo-Pacific, speaks with Japanese media outlets at the U.S. Yokota Base in western Tokyo on Dec. 3. (Taketsugu Sato)

A U.S. Space Command opened at the U.S. Yokota Air Base in western Tokyo on Dec. 4 to strengthen Japan-U.S. cooperation in monitoring North Korean missile launches and China’s increasing activities in outer space.

“When we look at all domain war-fighting and defense of our homelands, space is more and more critical today than ever before,” Brig. Gen. Anthony J. Mastalir, commander of U.S. Space Forces Indo-Pacific, told The Asahi Shimbun and other media outlets at the base on Dec. 3.

“Having a component, having a commander here representing the Space Force in support of this new C2 (command and control) headquarters is absolutely critical to our continued deterrence in the region,” he said.

The U.S. Space Force established U.S. Space Forces Indo-Pacific in Hawaii in November 2022.

Under its command, a U.S. Space Command was set up in South Korea in December that year.

By establishing a new Space Command in Japan, the United States aims to strengthen surveillance of outer space through cooperation with Japan and South Korea.

Mastalir said the establishment of the U.S. Space Command in Japan “also reflects Japan’s growing space capabilities and represents the next step in our shared journey toward a synchronized, highly capable space defense posture.”

The U.S. Space Command in Japan plans to strengthen cooperation with existing U.S. forces in the country as well as Japan’s Defense Ministry and Self-Defense Forces.

The command center reportedly has about 10 staff members, and there are no immediate plans to deploy any new radars.

Mastalir expressed concern about China’s military activities in space.

“What we have seen over the last five to 10 years is increased investment in China regarding military space capabilities,” he said.

Specifically, he noted that China has developed what are known as “killer satellites” that use robotic arms and other devices in orbit to intercept and attack other countries’ satellites.

China has also enhanced detection and tracking of naval vessels of the United States and its allies by numerous satellites.

“Part of our mission in the Space Forces in terms of establishing space superiority is to protect the joint and combined force from space-enabled attack,” Mastalir said. “So it is absolutely critical that we focus on that aspect of China’s development and are prepared to counter those long-range kill chains when necessary.”

The U.S. Space Force will strengthen Japan-U.S. integration in the space domain as well. The United States considers it essential to maintain its superiority in space to operate reconnaissance satellites used for communications and missile detection and guidance systems.

The security environment in space continues to deteriorate.

China and Russia conducted tests to destroy their own satellites in 2007 and 2021, respectively, sending a message that they can interfere with other countries’ use of space.

North Korea has accelerated its missile tests, and it successfully launched a reconnaissance satellite in 2023.

In response, Japan, the United States and South Korea have begun a program to immediate share warning information about North Korean missile launches.

The U.S. and Japanese governments have been strengthening cooperation in space.

In 2023, the Japan-U.S. Security Consultative Committee (two plus two) released a joint statement that said Article 5 of the Japan-U.S. Security Treaty, which stipulates the U.S. obligation to defend Japan, may be invoked.

“Obviously I am 100 percent supportive of the consultative discussions and talks and the conclusions that were made and we are postured accordingly,” Mastalir said.

(This article was written by Taketsugu Sato, a senior staff writer, and Nobuhiko Tajima.)

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