US Space Force Lands In Japan To Check China, Russia, N Korea

Lee says the satellite reportedly captured reconnaissance images of key US military sites, though independent verification is lacking. He suggests that Russia may have aided North Korea's advancements in space technology following a September 2023 summit between Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un and President Vladimir Putin.

Kevin Pollpeter and other writers mention in a May 2023 China Aerospace Studies Institute (CASI) report that China and Russia have deepened their strategic space cooperation, reflecting broader geopolitical shifts and shared opposition to US dominance.

Pollpeter and others note this partnership includes collaboration on lunar and Mars exploration, missile defense, satellite navigation and technology transfers. China's financial and technological ascendancy increasingly positions it as the leader in this relationship, with Russia providing critical capabilities in a secondary role.

They note that key China-Russian space initiatives include joint lunar bases, missile warning systems and integrated satellite systems, which aim to counter US influence while advancing their national security and technological goals.

Sheila Smith mentions in a July 2024 Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) article that Japan views the growing alliance between China, Russia and North Korea as a significant threat to regional stability.

Smith says Japan is particularly concerned about Russia's defense partnership with North Korea, which includes the provision of sophisticated weapons and technological aid to bolster North Korea's missile and nuclear programs.

She notes this alliance complicates Japan's security strategy, especially with the potential for North Korea to develop intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM) capable of reaching the US.

Smith also mentions that Japan is wary of China's military activities and cooperation with Russia, which she says could further destabilize the Indo-Pacific region. To address those threats, she says Japan is strengthening its defense ties with the US and South Korea.

However, Kari Bingen mentions in a March 2024 Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) think tank article that Japan faces significant challenges in enhancing its space cooperation with the US, primarily due to its limited experience in military space operations and the need for extensive education and training.

Bingen notes that Japan's space ecosystem has historically focused on civilian missions, resulting in the lack of development of military space systems. Additionally, she says Japan's defense institutions and industry must overcome barriers related to data-sharing policies, security clearances and export regulations.

Meanwhile, Saadia Pekkanen mentions in a June 2023 CSIS article that the US-Japan alliance is the only formal military pact extending into space .

Pekkanen notes this partnership emphasizes safeguarding orbital assets critical to defense, technology and global stability. She mentions key concerns, such as anti-satellite weapons, proximity operations and the rising risks of orbital debris from an expanding LEO infrastructure.

Pekkanen says to address those threats, Japan has restructured its legal framework, established a dedicated Space Operations Squadron and strengthened industrial cooperation with the US through initiatives like integrating military sensors with its QZSS satellite system.

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She also mentions that the alliance focuses on Space Domain Awareness (SDA) to map orbital activities and enhance security against natural and man-made hazards. Pekkanen notes collaborative milestones, such as Japan's participation in US-led Shriever space wargames and the NASA Artemis lunar exploration program, reflecting intertwined civil, commercial and military goals.

However, Pekkanen points out ambiguities in international law and that the text of the 1960 US-Japan security treaty agreement has remained unchanged despite evolving and emerging threats.

Further, Michael Mazarr and other writers mention in a RAND report released this month that US allies and partners play a critical role in achieving integrated deterrence in space, as outlined in the 2022 National Defense Strategy (NDS).

Mazarr and others mention that integrated deterrence combines US and allied capabilities across domains, such as military, economic and diplomatic, to amplify their effectiveness in deterring aggression. They emphasize how space operations-spanning intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance (ISR), satellite communications (SATCOM) and missile warning-are foundational to this strategy.

The writers highlight how US allies contribute significantly by providing access to shared space assets, enabling joint operations and complicating adversaries' risk calculations. However, they mention that challenges persist, including barriers to information sharing, joint defense production and integrating multinational efforts into cohesive deterrent strategies.

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