Japan is developing national security space capabilities thorugh programs like the Quasi-Zenith Satellite System. (credit: Cabinet Office, Government of Japan)

From pacifism to pragmatism: Japan’s evolving space security policy

by Safia Mansoor
Monday, February 2, 2026

The transformation of Japan from a hardcore pacifist state to a security-conscious space actor signifies the co-existence of national security imperatives and normative restraint. The shift from unique position on international space law and constitutionalism pacifism is driven by regional geopolitics and strategic contestation in outer space.

The Basic Space Law of Japan enacted in 2008 formally changed the Japan’s security policy towards outer space. This change is attributed to the two key security shocks: the launch of ballistic missiles into the Sea of Japan by North Korea in 2006 and the antisatellite test by China in 2007. Prior to enactment of the law, Japan’s space activity was solely non-military in nature. Japan adopted a unique position with respect to 1967 Outer Space Treaty when its parliament, the Diet, approved the Peaceful Purposes Resolution in 1969, forbidding any kind of military space activity. By contrast, many other nations, including the United States, interpreted that the treaty allows non-aggressive military space activity. The Peaceful Purposes Resolution is also commensurate with pacifist constitution of Japan, notably article 9, which repudiates war and the use of threat or force as the nation’s sovereign right.

The 2008 Space Law altered this interpretation by taking two crucial steps in furthering military space activity of Japan. First, it centralized space policymaking by handing over to Japan’s Strategic Headquarters for Space Policy the responsibility to make its space policy. Before the Basic Space Law, Japan’s science and technology bureau controlled the space agencies. Secondly, the Basic Space Law authorized the development of non-aggressive military space capabilities, similar to the interpretation of Outer Space Treaty by other spacefaring nations. It highlighted the need of Japan to use outer space for national security.

Article 24 (2) of the 2008 Space Law underlies the formulation of the Basic Plan on Space Policy, Japan’s key plan for exploitation of space to support policies with respect to “space development and use.” As of now, five such plans have been issued: two in 2013, a third in 2015, a fourth in 2020, and the fifth in 2023. They are grounded on aims for space policy, programmatic targets, measured plans, and concrete approaches, and understanding of geopolitical threats.

The fourth Basic Plan on Space Policy is particularly important as it covers four quintessential aspects. It signifies the environment and context in which the space policy of Japan functions and also highlights the important circumstances such as power balance in outer space, increasing significance of space security, aggravating risks to sustainable use of space, swift progress in science and technology, and the ascent of private sector. Second, it reflects the space policy goals that, in turn, further the national interests of Japan such as space security; bolstering national resilience, disaster countermeasures, and addressing various global issues; actualizing economic growth driven by space; and generating knowledge through exploration of space. Third, it underlies Japan’s basic stance for promoting its space policy, which entails directions on prioritizations of fundamental facets of space policy, procedures to implement policy, and budget allocation. It prioritizes output-driven policy of outer space that also fulfill the security requirements of Japan, harnessing human and financial resources; enshrining long-term planning to dispense investment predictability, and ensuring cooperation with other nations, notably allies; Finally, it entails concrete approaches with regards to space policy, outlining programmatic measures to achieve space policy objectives.

In 2023, Japan issued the fifth Basic Plan on Space Policy which focuses on quest for space security, economic dividends of space sector, international cooperation, and harnessing space for disaster prevention.

Japan is continuously improving its space defense capabilities. The positioning, navigation, and timing system of Japan, called the Quasi-Zenith Satellite System, launched in 2018 and plays an important role in providing those services. Japan also operates reconnaissance satellites for radar and optical imagery. Additionally, Japan is working to enhance its space situational awareness efforts through development of a deep-space radar system coupled with a command and control center. To strengthen its communication capabilities as well as command and control, Japan is also developing X-band communication satellites.

The Space Security Initiative is the key guiding document that guides Japan’s military space outlook. It enshrines Japan’s three approaches to outer space: security from space, or harnessing outer space for national security; security in space, or the secure use of outer space; and furthering its space industrial base and create a virtuous cycle of security.

All these developments suggest Japan’s calibrated approach to space security while retaining its normative essence and adapting to regional security environment. This recalibration of its strategic posture with respect to outer space is an example signifying how a pacifist state fulfills its the national security imperatives without abandoning its normative commitments.

Safia Mansoor is a PhD Scholar of International Relations at School of Integrated Social Sciences, University of Lahore, Pakistan. She has done MPhil in International Relations with gold medal from Kinnaird College for Women. She has also served as Research Associate at Maritime Centre of Excellence, Pakistan. She has number of publications published nationally and internationally. Recently she has completed Gaming for Peace Fellowship (2025) under Nuclear Scholars Initiative by University of Lahore, Pakistan. Her area of interest includes Defense and Strategic studies, Emerging Military Technologies, South Asia, and Asia-Pacific Region.

Note: we are now moderating comments. There will be a delay in posting comments and no guarantee that all submitted comments will be posted.

Home