
WASHINGTON -- Japan and the U.S. affirmed that Washington will extend its security umbrella to its treaty ally into space, a move that would seek to protect Japanese satellites as China and Russia ramp up military activity in the arena.
The foreign and defense ministers of the two countries issued a joint statement Wednesday saying that Article 5 of their security treaty, which obligates the U.S. to defend Japan if it comes under attack, could be applied to space.