Tokyo, Japan - Senior leaders from the U.S. Space Force and Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) held their first-ever Space Engagement Talks in Tokyo on July 13, 2023. The talks which were hosted by the Commander of United States Space Forces Indo-Pacific, Brig. Gen. Anthony J. Mastalir, focused on enhancing the space security relationship between the two countries.

Topics discussed included space domain awareness, space intelligence, training and education, workforce buildout, capability development and Space Forces Indo-Pacific coordination. The two sides also exchanged views on the current security environment in space and how they can work together to address common challenges.

"The U.S.-Japan Space Engagement Talks represent a further expansion of our strong alliance into the space domain," said Mastalir. "Through these talks and Space Working Groups to follow, we can build a roadmap for cooperation to ensure safety and security in space for our nations and all responsible actors."

The talks concluded with a signing of a Joint Framework for collaborating in peaceful space exploration. The framework outlines areas of cooperation in space such as research and development, education and training and space situational awareness.

The Space Engagement Talks are a significant milestone in the U.S.-Japan space security relationship. They demonstrate the two countries' commitment to working together to ensure the safety and security of space for future generations.

Benefits of U.S.-Japan Space Collaboration

The U.S.-Japan Space Engagement Talks are expected to yield a number of benefits for both countries. These benefits include:

  • Increased situational awareness in space. By sharing information and working together, the two countries will be able to better track and monitor objects in space. This will help to deter and mitigate threats to space assets.
  • Improved operational effectiveness. By collaborating on space capabilities, the two countries will be able to better integrate their space assets into their respective military operations. This will enhance their ability to respond to threats and challenges in space.
  • Increased resilience in the face of threats. By working together, the two countries will be able to develop more robust and resilient space systems. This will help them to withstand attacks and disruptions in space.
  • Enhanced norms of behavior in space. By collaborating on space norms, the two countries can help to promote responsible behavior in space. This will help to ensure the long-term sustainability of space for all nations.

Additional Information

  • The SET discussions reportedly focused on how the two countries can work together to improve space domain awareness, develop new space capabilities and train and educate space professionals.
  • The working-level Space Working Group discussions will likely focus on fleshing out these ideas and identifying specific projects that the two countries can collaborate on.
  • The Space Engagement Talks are a significant step forward in the U.S.-Japan space security relationship. They demonstrate the two countries' commitment to working together to ensure the safety and security of space for future generations.

The Space Engagement Talks are a positive development in the U.S.-Japan space security relationship. They represent a commitment by both countries to working together to ensure the safety and security of space for future generations.

by Ekin CENGİZ