The US-China Space Rivalry; Implications for Japan’s National Security

Abstract

The increasing competition between the United States and China in outer space has changed the way countries interact with each other. It has turned space into a place where countries show off their technology, military plans, and ideas. Japan, a country that wants to stay peaceful but also supports the United States in the Indo-Pacific region, faces big challenges to its safety because of this competition. This article looks at how the US-China space rivalry has changed, starting from the Cold War when countries were competing, to China becoming a strong space power, and the US creating the Space Force to respond. It also talks about the race to develop better technology, like China's ability to destroy satellites and the US's network of commercial satellites, and how these things affect Japan's important space-based systems. This article examines how Japan's space plans are changing, the dangers it faces from nearby threats, and how it is trying to deal with the rivalry, working with allies, and leading in making rules for space. This article aims to provide a guide for Japan to protect its interests in a time when powerful countries are competing with each other.