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Japan to Launch Six Bodyguard Satellites by 2035

September 28, 2026

2 min read

Key Takeaways

Japan plans to introduce six bodyguard satellites by 2035.
The satellites will protect Japanese satellites from killer satellites.
China and Russia are developing killer satellites.
A satellite development office will be established in fiscal 2027.

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Strategic Implications

This move may indicate Japan's growing concern about space security threats from neighboring countries. The introduction of bodyguard satellites suggests a shift in Japan's defense priorities towards protecting its space-based assets, which could have significant implications for regional security dynamics and the development of countermeasures against killer satellites.

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What Happened

Tokyo Expands Space Defense Capabilities Amid Regional Threats

Japan’s Defence Ministry aims to strengthen its defense preparedness in outer space by introducing six bodyguard satellites that can protect Japanese satellites from attacks by other countries’ killer satellites. The ministry plans to launch the satellites between fiscal 2033 and 2035, with a prototype scheduled to be launched as early as fiscal 2028. The move comes as China and Russia are developing killer satellites, which can approach and attack target satellites. The development of bodyguard satellites is part of Japan’s efforts to strengthen its space defense capabilities, as reported by Asia News Network.

Source | Originally Published: September 28, 2026

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