Core Viewpoint - The Japanese government, under Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide, is aggressively pursuing military expansion under the guise of "self-defense," with a strong focus on enhancing capabilities in space and the southwestern region of Japan [1][10]. Group 1: Military Expansion Plans - Japan's Defense Minister, Koizumi Shinjiro, emphasized the importance of space as a critical area for both military and civilian purposes during his visit to the Air Self-Defense Force base [1][11]. - The Japanese government plans to reorganize the Air Self-Defense Force into an "Aerospace Self-Defense Force" by the fiscal year 2026, with the specialized space unit "Space Operations Group" expected to be upgraded to a "Space Operations Corps" by 2025 and further to a "Space Operations Group" in 2026 [1][10]. Group 2: Space Defense Initiatives - Japan has proposed the development of "guardian satellites" to enhance its space defense capabilities and plans to invest heavily in a project referred to as Japan's version of the "Starlink" program, aimed at creating a low Earth orbit satellite constellation [5][10]. - The Defense Minister noted the increasing importance of space and the active development of technologies to disrupt or incapacitate foreign satellites, indicating a commitment to strengthening Japan's capabilities in ensuring space stability [3][11]. Group 3: Southwestern Military Deployment - Japan is intensifying its military presence in the southwestern region, with recent inspections by the Defense Minister in Okinawa, focusing on the deployment of the Ground Self-Defense Force on Ishigaki Island and Yonaguni Island [6][10]. - The main command center for operations in the southwestern region, Okinawa Island, is home to the 15th Brigade of the Ground Self-Defense Force, which is set to expand and be upgraded to a nearly 4,000-strong 15th Division by 2027, forming a "Okinawa Defense Group" primarily for island defense operations [8][13].