The Koku-Jieitai (Japan Air Self-Defense Force) established the
Space Operations Group on Thursday, March 17 and held its
Establishment Ceremony at Fuchu Air Base on Friday, March 18.
State Minister of Defense, U.S. Space Command Commander,
U.S. 5th Air Force Vice Commander on behalf of U.S. Forces
Japan Commander, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency
President, Cabinet Office National Space Policy Secretariat
Director General and Defense Attachés of twelve space partner
nations attended the ceremony.
The Space Operations Group led by Col Kazuki Tamai consists of
its headquarters supporting the Group Commander, the Space
Operations Control Squadron in charge of space command and
control and the Space Operations Squadron (already established
in 2020) responsible for Space Situational Awareness.
Japan Ministry of Defense/Self-Defense Forces will cooperate
with the U.S. Forces, armed forces of partner nations and
related agencies as well as enhance initiatives like SSA after
establishing the Space Operations Group.
The Koku-Jieitai will surely continue to build up space
capabilities and contribute to the stable use of space.