ed Space arms race

Japan seeks to delete non-military purpose clause

An arms race in outer space is likely to be intensified as Japan is trying to lay the legal ground for space development for defense. Media reports said that Tokyo will soon propose to revise the law that confines space research and exploration to non-military purposes only.

If such a revision gets approval from parliament, the Japanese government will succeed in clearing a major obstacle to developing spy satellites and state-of-the-art weapons by diverting space technologies for defense applications. Japan has so far only focused on utilizing these technologies for peaceful purposes.

The move is certainly in response to China’s ambitious space programs, both with peaceful and military intentions. China has maintained that it clings to the use of outer space for peaceful purposes. But other countries fear that Beijing may exploit the programs to develop weapons.

Such a fear is not groundless. China has actually exposed its thinly-veiled intention of applying its space technology to military equipment. The nation caused jitters in the United States and other countries in 2007 by shooting down one of its own obsolete satellites. China’s long-term goal is to build a space station. In the process, no one can rule out the possibility that related technologies may be mobilized to make weapons.

Besides, North Korea’s nuclear bomb detonations and long-range missile tests have played a part in prodding Japan to lift the ban on the use of space technology for defense. Japanese officials might think that they need space-based military equipment to thwart any potential threats from China or North Korea. In fact, Tokyo has pushed to develop a missile defense (MD) system in cooperation with Washington to counter those threats.

But, Japan needs to be more cautious about its space policy. Any aggressive move might cause a new arms race in Asia. Some of its neighbors cannot but express concerns about the strengthening of Japan’s military power. Those who suffered from Japan’s aggressions in the early part of the 20th century do not want see the revival of its militarism.

Japanese policymakers should keep in mind that military strength is not the only answer to preserving peace and security. It would be a pity if Japan uses an assertive China as an excuse to speed up its military buildup not only on Earth but also in outer space. Both countries should make more genuine efforts toward peace instead of ratcheting up tension. The U.S. is also urged to engage more with China rather than containing the rising power of Asia. All players must work together to avoid a new Cold War in the region.

Needless to say, every nation has the right to pursue space programs for peaceful purposes. Outer space should not be the target of weapons development. No state or group of individuals should be allowed to export war and other conflicts into space.