日本拟打造“宇宙作战集团”

Core Viewpoint - Japan's government is increasingly pursuing military expansion under the guise of "self-defense," with significant developments in space military capabilities and regional military deployments [1][3]. Group 1: Space Military Expansion - Japan plans to restructure its Air Self-Defense Force into an "Aerospace Self-Defense Force" by the fiscal year 2026, with a dedicated space combat unit expected to be upgraded to a "Space Operations Group" by 2026 [1][3]. - The Japanese Defense Minister emphasized the importance of space for both military and civilian purposes, indicating a strong commitment to enhancing space capabilities [3]. - Japan is developing "bodyguard satellites" for space defense and plans to invest heavily in a "low-orbit satellite constellation" project, akin to the U.S. Starlink program [3][6]. Group 2: Military Deployment in Southwestern Japan - Japan is reinforcing its military presence in the southwestern region, particularly in Okinawa, with plans to deploy advanced missile systems [7][10]. - The Ground Self-Defense Force's 15th Brigade stationed in Okinawa is set to expand into a 15th Division by 2027, with a focus on island defense operations [10][12]. - The deployment of advanced missile systems, such as the Type 03 medium-range air defense missile and the Type 12 anti-ship missile, indicates a shift towards offensive military capabilities rather than purely defensive measures [12].