May 13, 2023

The House of Councilors at its plenary session on May 12 approved a Japan-U.S. framework agreement on space cooperation between the two countries by the majority vote of the ruling parties, Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, "Ishin" party, and the Democratic Party for the People. The Japanese Communist Party, "Reiwa Shinsengumi" party, and the Okinawa Whirlwind opposed the bilateral outer space accord.

JCP member of the Upper House Yamazoe Taku in the debate pointed out, "The agreement will significantly expand the use of space for military purposes and will also enhance collaboration with the United States in areas of exploration, transportation, and aeronautical technologies for military purposes."

Yamazoe warned, "If Japan provides to the U.S. side the information that the Japanese satellites collected and the U.S., based on that data, attacks some other country, Japan will be seen as integral to U.S. armed strikes."