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Abe: New Unit Will Defend Japan From Space Tech Threats

Associated Press

   Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said Monday that Japan will form a space
   defense unit to protect itself from potential threats as rivals develop
   missiles and other technology and the new unit will work closely with
   its American counterpart recently launched by President Donald Trump.

   The Space Domain Mission Unit will start in April as part of Japan's
   Air Self-Defense Force, Abe said in a policy speech marking the start
   of the year's parliamentary session.
   He said Japan must also defend itself from threats in cyberspace and
   from electromagnetic interference against Japanese satellites. Concerns
   are growing that China and Russia are seeking ways to interfere,
   disable or destroy satellites.
   "We will drastically bolster capability and system in order to secure
   superiority" in those areas, Abe said.
   The space unit will be added to an existing air base at Fuchu in the
   western suburbs of Tokyo, where about 20 people will be staffed ahead
   of a full launch in 2022. The role of the space unit is to conduct
   satellite-based navigation and communications for other troops in the
   field, rather than being on the ground.
   Abe's Cabinet in December approved 50.6 billion yen ($460 million)
   budget in space-related projects, pending parliamentary approval.
   The unit will cooperate with the U.S. Space Command that Trump
   established in August, as well as Japan's space exploration agency,
   Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency.
   Underscoring the need to step up cyber security, Mitsubishi Electric
   Corp. revealed Monday that it had suffered a cyber attack last June
   that may have compromised personal and corporate data involving
   thousands of its job applicants, employees and retirees. Mitsubishi
   said there was no breach of sensitive data in the company's operations
   involving defense, space, transportation, electric power and other
   businesses sectors. It promised to enhance security measures and
   monitoring.
   Abe has pushed for Japan's Self-Defense Force to expand its
   international role and capability by bolstering cooperation and weapons
   compatibility with the U.S., as it increasingly works alongside
   American troops and as it grows concerned about the increasing
   capabilities of China and North Korea.

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