TOKYO -- Japan's Self-Defense Forces has established its first dedicated squadron for space operations, aiming to track suspicious satellites and space debris to protect the nation's spy satellites starting around 2023.
Tokyo seeks closer cooperation with US against new security risks

The NanoRacks debris-removal satellite is deployed by the International Space Station. Tracking space junk will be one of the space force's missions. (photo courtesy of NASA)
TOKYO -- Japan's Self-Defense Forces has established its first dedicated squadron for space operations, aiming to track suspicious satellites and space debris to protect the nation's spy satellites starting around 2023.