# Global Power Dynamics in the Contemporary Space System
## 4 System Actors--Space Powers
### Major Space Actors
#### 4.2.6 Japan  
Japan has established itself as a leading space power, with a half-century of achievements in areas such as space science, human spaceflight, satellites, launchers, and robotic devices [26] (p. 43).  
Since the beginning of its space activities, Japan has demonstrated a consistent reluctance to engage in any military-related utilization of space. The period from the 1950s until the 1990s can be characterized as the R&D phase in Japan's space history [63]. The program's primary objectives are typically commercial or scientific, reflecting a non-military orientation. This non-military nature of Japanese space policy was largely unproblematic due to the presence of the United States-Japanese alliance, which provided the necessary infrastructure for intelligence gathering and telecommunication from space.  
The public's perception of security issues underwent a significant shift in 1998 when the Taepodong, a North Korean satellite launcher/ballistic missile, flew over Japanese territory, raising concerns about the imminent threat posed by North Korea. This event caused significant disruption to the prevailing pacifist Japanese space policy paradigm, leading to widespread panic among the Japanese public and policy community. In response, Japan enacted the Basic Space Law in 2008, which broadened its space policy. This shift in policy allowed for a wider range of space uses, including defense, under the interpretation of the concept of \"exclusively peaceful purposes\". The Japanese government's objectives in enacting this law were to ensure international peace and security, as well as contribute to the nation's security. The Basic Space Law emphasizes the promotion of civilian space utilization, the strengthening of Japan's space industry, and the enhancement of its international competitiveness. Notably, the law also addresses space security, a previously absent element in Japan's legislative framework [64].  
The Japanese government's current stance on space-related matters is characterized by its proactive approach across multiple domains, including the economic, military, and diplomatic sectors. This proactive stance is further underscored by the recent emergence of a domestic debate surrounding the role of space in national security, prompted by growing security concerns. The Japanese space program is currently undergoing a significant transition, shifting from a primary focus on scientific research to a multibillion-dollar industry with a pronounced emphasis on national security, marked by a notable expansion of its military component.  
The 2020 revision of the Japanese Basic Plan on Space Policy underscores the significance of outer space to national security, the growing societal reliance on space systems, and the expanding space activities of the private sector, including the emergence of novel business models. Japan, a pivotal ally of the United States, was among the first to sign the Artemis Accords, thereby aligning itself with the American vision concerning the exploration and utilization of extraterrestrial resources. In June 2021, Japan enacted the \"Act on the Promotion of Business Activities for the Exploration and Development of Space Resources (Space Resources Act)\". This act includes provisions on the ownership of space resources. Japan is the fourth country to have a space resources act [65] (p. 6) [66].