On Thursday, December 25, 2025, the Ministry of National Defense of the Chinese mainland criticized Tokyo's accelerated steps toward space militarization, warning of severe risks to regional and global security.
According to media reports, Japan claims to have made substantive advances in satellite-disruption technologies. The government plans to reorganize its Air Self-Defense Force into the Air and Space Self-Defense Force and to build a spacecraft carrier in fiscal year 2026. Analysts caution that these moves could spark a new space arms race.
Defense Ministry spokesperson Senior Colonel Zhang Xiaogang described Tokyo's trajectory as 'provocative and destabilizing.' He stressed that 'maintaining lasting peace and security in space is vital to the security, development and prosperity of all nations. Japan's unrestrained development of satellite-jamming technology is accelerating the weaponization and militarization of space, fueling a space arms race. It is extremely dangerous and unpopular.'
Senior Colonel Zhang also drew parallels to historical concerns over wartime surprise attacks, noting that Japan's past militarism and offensive strategies fuel international unease. 'Given that Japan's vicious militarists once launched sneak attacks and that the country is now taking an offensive space policy, it is hardly surprising that there are growing concerns of another Pearl Harbor scenario,' he added.
As space becomes an increasingly strategic arena, experts say transparency and arms-control measures will be crucial to avoid destabilizing competition. With satellite networks underpinning everything from global communications to climate monitoring, the stakes of any conflict in orbit have never been higher.
Young global citizens, tech entrepreneurs, and policy advocates are watching closely as the debate over space security intensifies. In the coming months, proposals at international forums may shape the future of peaceful cooperation in orbit.
Reference(s):
China: Japan's push toward space militarization 'extremely dangerous'
cgtn.com
