Tokyo, 4 December 2024 (dpa/MIA) - The US Space Force (USSF) on Wednesday launched a unit at Yokota Air Base in western Tokyo as part of its goal of strengthening space defence and bilateral deterrence capabilities, the Kyodo news agency reported.

"U.S. Space Forces Japan will serve as the focal point for deepening collaboration and synchronization between the United States and Japan in national security," US Brigadier General Anthony Mastalir, commander of USSF Indo-Pacific, said.

He noted that countries like North Korea, Russia and China threaten the stability of the Indo-Pacific region.

The USSF, established in 2019, is the newest branch of the US Armed Forces and is responsible for protecting US and allied interests in space.

The new unit is expected to increase Japan's space surveillance and missile warning capabilities by providing advice and expertise.

"It cannot be understated, our space capabilities will help deter adversary aggression" and help protect the allied forces, Colonel Ryan Laughton, commander of USSF Japan said at an opening ceremony.

Part of the cooperation includes having a constellation of Japan's geographic positioning satellites host US space sensors that can gather data and intelligence, the two governments said.

At a trilateral meeting in Australia last month, which included US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and his Japanese and Australian counterparts, Austin affirmed the cooperation with Japanese Defence Minister Gen Nakatani.

USSF South Korea was launched in December 2022.

Photo: MIA archive