December 14, 2011
The Defense Ministry has requested 188.1 billion yen for their next fiscal year budget in order to purchase and operate two communication satellites. If the plan is implemented, they will be the first military satellites owned by the government.
The DM currently spends about 6 billion yen a year to lease a private satellite communication system. For the next year, the ministry plans to make a contract with private firms under the PFI system (Private Finance Initiative, allowing private bodies to run public institutions) in order to have the companies operate a 19-year-long program of satellite communication, including the manufacture, launch, operation, and decommissioning of satellites as well as the management of related ground facilities.
Currently, X-band satellites are used by the Self-Defense Forces as a key communication tool to command and control their operation units, covering areas from the Northwest Pacific to the Indian Ocean. This type of satellites ensures a wide-area of communication and minimizes the effects of weather or geographic conditions.
The Defense Ministry asserts that the next generation X-band communication satellite system will be in line with the “mobile defense capabilities” vision set by the 2010 National Defense Program Guidelines.
Japanese Communist Party House of Representatives member Yoshii Hidekatsu said, “To allow the SDF to have its own military satellites is a grave issue, infringing on the peace principle of the Japanese Constitution and the 1969 Diet resolution which restricted space development to peaceful purposes.
“In the 2008 Diet deliberation for the Aerospace Basic Act, which was forcibly enacted by the Liberal Democratic, Democratic, and Komei parties, I raised concerns that the law would lead to development of the military satellite communication system. With the latest plan, this concern has become reality.
“The DM is also considering possibility of introducing early-warning satellites for the missile defense program, positioning satellites for improving targeting accuracy, as well as information gathering satellites. It seeks further use of space technology for military purposes.
“Meanwhile, the private companies with which the government makes contracts with under the PFI system will be ‘war contractors’ dealing with the operation of military equipment for military purposes.
“Japan has been highly rated by the international community by its operation of the spacecraft ‘Hayabusa’ and the land observing satellite ‘Daichi’. It should stick to the promotion of the space technology for peaceful purposes.”
The DM currently spends about 6 billion yen a year to lease a private satellite communication system. For the next year, the ministry plans to make a contract with private firms under the PFI system (Private Finance Initiative, allowing private bodies to run public institutions) in order to have the companies operate a 19-year-long program of satellite communication, including the manufacture, launch, operation, and decommissioning of satellites as well as the management of related ground facilities.
Currently, X-band satellites are used by the Self-Defense Forces as a key communication tool to command and control their operation units, covering areas from the Northwest Pacific to the Indian Ocean. This type of satellites ensures a wide-area of communication and minimizes the effects of weather or geographic conditions.
The Defense Ministry asserts that the next generation X-band communication satellite system will be in line with the “mobile defense capabilities” vision set by the 2010 National Defense Program Guidelines.
Japanese Communist Party House of Representatives member Yoshii Hidekatsu said, “To allow the SDF to have its own military satellites is a grave issue, infringing on the peace principle of the Japanese Constitution and the 1969 Diet resolution which restricted space development to peaceful purposes.
“In the 2008 Diet deliberation for the Aerospace Basic Act, which was forcibly enacted by the Liberal Democratic, Democratic, and Komei parties, I raised concerns that the law would lead to development of the military satellite communication system. With the latest plan, this concern has become reality.
“The DM is also considering possibility of introducing early-warning satellites for the missile defense program, positioning satellites for improving targeting accuracy, as well as information gathering satellites. It seeks further use of space technology for military purposes.
“Meanwhile, the private companies with which the government makes contracts with under the PFI system will be ‘war contractors’ dealing with the operation of military equipment for military purposes.
“Japan has been highly rated by the international community by its operation of the spacecraft ‘Hayabusa’ and the land observing satellite ‘Daichi’. It should stick to the promotion of the space technology for peaceful purposes.”
