The Mainichi Shimbun is reporting that Japan plans to create a āspace forceā within its existing Self Defence Force, hoping to have it operational by 2019. Took them long enough.
Its role will be to monitor ādangerous debris floating in Earthās orbitā, as well as āprotecting satellites from collisions with such debrisā. The force will be working closely with the US, both countries seeking to strengthen their relationship on whatās described as the āfourth battlefieldā.
Note that this plan, which involves simply looking into space using old civilian astronomy equipment and radar, is just the beginning. The transforming space fighters and combat mechs and giant alien spaceship-melting cannons will presumably come later
Japan set to create space force within SDF in 5 yearsā time [Mainichi]
