Japan moves to rename Air Self-Defense Force as 'Aerospace Self-Defense Force'

Japan is set to rename its Air Self-Defense Force the "Aerospace Self-Defense Force" as part of efforts to strengthen its operational capabilities in space, including through the use of satellites.

Japan's House of Councillors passed an amendment to the Defense Ministry Establishment Act on Friday, approving the name change, NHK and Kyodo News reported.

The renaming aims to bolster the force's ability to conduct operations in the space domain, including intelligence gathering via satellite. The transition is expected to be completed by March next year — the first name change since the Self-Defense Forces were established in 1954.

The Self-Defense Forces' dedicated space defense unit was established in 2020.

Starting with just 20 personnel at its founding, the unit has grown steadily. When the Space Operations Group was launched within the Air Self-Defense Force in March, its headcount had reached 670.

The Space Operations Group is expected to be elevated to a "Space Operations Command" and expanded to 880 personnel as part of a broader reorganization of related units.

The amendment passed Friday also includes a provision to increase the number of vice ministers of defense from one to two.

According to local media, the move is intended to reduce the workload in the event of a contingency or large-scale disaster and to expand defense exchanges with allies and partner nations.