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International relations

Japan, U.S. extend security treaty into space to protect satellites

2+2 affirms cooperation on counterstrike capabilities amid rising regional threats

Japanese Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada, left, Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, right, hold a news conference at the State Department in Washington on Jan. 11.   © AP

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.

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