China: Japan's push toward space militarization 'extremely dangerous'

The Chinese Ministry of National Defense on Thursday condemned Japan's accelerated efforts to advance military capabilities in outer space, warning that Tokyo's latest moves toward space militarization pose severe risks to regional and global security.

According to media reports, Japan claims to have made substantive progress in technologies that could disrupt satellites of other nations. It plans to reorganize its Air Self-Defense Force into the Air and Space Self-Defense Force and to construct a spacecraft carrier in fiscal year 2026. Some media analysis suggests that vigilance is needed, as Japan may be planning a Pearl Harbor incident in space.

Responding to the reports, Defense Ministry spokesperson Senior Colonel Zhang Xiaogang criticized Tokyo's trajectory as provocative and destabilizing.

"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, and fueling a space arms race. It is extremely dangerous and unpopular," he said.

He further referenced historical concerns associated with Japan's wartime militarism and surprise attacks, arguing that Tokyo's new posture heightens 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," Zhang stated.

(Cover: File photo of Chinese Defense Ministry spokesperson Senior Colonel Zhang Xiaogang. /VCG)