Japan enacts bill to add space operations into ASDF’s fold

Japan approves air force reorganization to boost space defense

Japan's parliament on Friday enacted legislation to reorganize and rename the Air Self-Defense Force, adding "space" to its official name as part of a broader effort to strengthen the country's space defense capabilities amid a rapidly changing security environment.

Japan enacts bill to add space operations into ASDF’s fold

The renaming of the ASDF by the end of fiscal 2026, will mark the first name change for any branch of the Self-Defense Forces since its establishment in 1954.