U.S. Space Force opens unit in Japan

Dec. 4 (UPI) -- The United States Space Force activated its first unit in Japan on Wednesday in cooperation with Japan's Air Self-Defense Force's own military space operations group.

The staff of 10 will be based out of the Yokota Air Base in Tokyo and work under the U.S. Forces Japan, officials said. The Space Force unit is part of an overall increase in the United States military presence.

The countries also seek to keep a watchful eye on increased space technologies from rivals like China, North Korea, and Russia.

"It cannot be understated, our space capabilities will help deter adversary aggression," and help protect allied forces, Col. Ryan Laughton, commander of U.S. Space Force Japan, said, according to Kyodo News.

The Japanese and U.S. governments said as part of their agreement, a group of Japanese geographic positioning satellites will contain U.S. space sensors with the ability to gather data and intelligence.

Japan becomes the second Asian Pacific country with U.S. Space Force presence. The U.S. activated the Space Force in South Korea in 2022.

"U.S. Space Force Japan will serve as the focal point for deepening collaboration and synchronization between the United States and Japan in national security," Brig. Gen. Anthony Mastalir, commander of the U.S. Space Force Indo-Pacific, said.