ByWang Aoduo

According to the Japanese media, Japan has planned to strengthen its communication capabilities by adopting more military satellites. At present, the Japanese Self-Defense Forces (JSDF) is trying out the Starlink satellite constellation of Elon Musk's SpaceX, a US-based aerospace manufacturer and space transportation company. After a comprehensive evaluation, it will decide whether to formally rent the system from the US and deploy the technology from the next fiscal year.

In this regard, military observer Wang Yanan pointed out that most of Japan's traditional communication satellites feature communication within a single channel or multiple channels, which lacks reliability. Once a satellite is jammed, connectivity of the communication link may be interrupted. However, the case is not true for the Starlink system. 

Due to a large number of satellites within the network, a separate satellite's damage tends to have no fatal impact on the performance of the communications. Starlink features stronger resistance to destruction and interference. Access to Starlink means that Japan can achieve the highly-sustainable communications infrastructure, which helps to quickly improve the stability and reliability of communications and transmission.

Japan has also announced earlier that it plans to deploy a network of 50 compact intelligence-gathering satellites in batches since 2024, to gradually establish its satellite reconnaissance constellation. 

Mentioning such an announcement, Wang analyzed that the satellite reconnaissance constellation Japan plans to build is quite different from the Starlink system. 

Most of the Starlink satellites are populated with communication satellites, while the to-be-built satellite reconnaissance constellation focuses on undertaking Earth-observing and spying missions. The information obtained by the satellite reconnaissance constellation could be quickly transmitted through the Starlink network to terminals, that is, Japan or its allies.

In 2022, the Japanese Ministry of Defense announced Japan's inclusion into US-led multilateral sharing frameworks including defense communication satellites. Japan is currently handling relevant procedures, while promoting cooperation with its allies at the same tiem. In Wang's view, if the US-Japan Starlink-based cooperation develops smoothly, the bilateral intelligence-sharing mechanism tends to be strengthened. 

However, there is one point deserving to be reckoned with, that is, it will be the US, not Japan, who will benefit more from Japan's accession to the Starlink system.

Like a US-built highway that may be previously accessible to mere American vehicles, Starlink now can be accessed by Japanese ones, too. This amounts to integrating some Japanese space assets into the Starlink system, which will be a means for Japan to transmit information. Starlink has unknowingly brought the US and Japan even closer in intelligence sharing. However, in this way, Japan will also be further tied to the US space strategy, and have to follow the lead of the US even more closely.

Wang further pointed out that signs of the military potential the Starlink have had emerged in the Russia-Ukraine conflict. In the future, the military use of Starlink is sure to become increasingly apparent, as indicated by Japan's intention to join the system. In the future, the US may take Starlink as an important military asset to be provided to more US allies, including Japan, to provide information transmission and intelligence collection services to friendly countries through the platform.

Of course, this may also lead to some tensions under specific circumstances, as the US has accustomed to understanding the details that its allies do not want to be known by any other country.