Japan Launches Space Operations Unit in SDF
Japan welcomes its newest Self-Defense Forces team, the Space Operations Squadron, as the first SDF unit specializing in the field of space. A ceremony to launch the squadron took place at the Defense Ministry.
By NIPPON TV NEWS 24 JAPANDefense Minister Kono Taro urged members of the new group to make efforts to respond to public expectations. The unit in the Air Self-Defense Force is mainly responsible for monitoring outer space for threats. They include colliding space debris and attacks from suspicious artificial satellites. The 20-member unit is based at the ASDF‘s Fuchu base in western Tokyo.