Menace from US expansion of Space Force in Japan goes beyond Asia-Pacific

does not need a global-spanning network like the US Space Force is building on Earth to create formidable space-based capabilities. The US is expanding its Space Force components simply to facilitate operations of America’s military spread across the planet, not to expand its actual capabilities in space.

The US predicates the standing up of overseas US Space Force components on the supposed threat China poses to its “allies.”

Japan in particular, is depicted by Washington as being on the forefront of America’s own growing confrontation with China. In reality, Japan is given little choice.

Since the conclusion of World War II, the US has not only maintained tens of thousands of US troops across Japan, it has exercised a degree of political capture over Tokyo. This includes unwarranted influence over Japan’s economic and foreign policies.

Despite the US exercising this degree of control over Japan, the rise of China and the economic and trade cooperation it offers the world has led to significant trade with Japan. Today, Japan counts China as its largest trading partner. Were Japan able to pursue cooperation with China beyond the constraints imposed by the US, this cooperation would be greater both for the Japanese economy as a whole and the Japanese people themselves.

Beyond America’s continued military presence in Japan undermining relations with nearby China, it threatens the peace and stability of the entire Asia-Pacific region. The US uses Japan as a military base of operations, with its US Space Force component aiding US forces in navigating through the South China Sea, enabling communication and coordination with Japanese and Filipino forces.

Moreover, this menace is enhanced by the expanding role of the US Space Force and its growing network of “components” which spring up across the Asia-Pacific region.