Tokyo has approved legislation to rename the Japan Air Self-Defense Force to the Air and Space Self-Defense Force, marking the first name change for one of the country’s military branches since its armed forces were established in the 1950s.
The House of Councillors passed the bill after it cleared the House of Representatives in April, with the move taking effect in fiscal 2026, local media reported.
The new service will establish a new Space Operations Command led by a lieutenant general, dedicated to space domain awareness, satellite surveillance, and launch capabilities.
Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi said the air and space reform is part of efforts to expand military capabilities amid the increasing relevance of those domains for both national security and civilian experience.
“People’s daily lives can no longer function without the use of space,” Koizumi said, according to The Mainichi, citing satellite navigation, weather forecasting, and smartphone applications.
He then assured that the government would build the organizational framework needed for the Self-Defense Forces to carry out their missions effectively.
Alongside the name change, the legislation authorizes a second senior vice defense minister to improve crisis response during emergencies and natural disasters, and raises post-retirement benefits for Japan Self-Defense Forces personnel.
It also shifts the Ground Self-Defense Force’s 15th Brigade in Okinawa, operating as a specialized frontline defense unit for southwestern Japan, into a full division.
