March 27, 2015
The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) on March 26 launched a rocket carrying a surveillance satellite. The spy satellite system has been heavily criticized for its high costs and for its lack of accountability.
The Cabinet Secretariat runs the surveillance satellite system to provide images of the earth to the Defense Ministry and the Public Security Investigation Agency. The satellite replaces one of four operating satellites.
When introducing the satellite system, the government claimed that it can be useful in times of disaster. This claim, however, turned out to be a mere excuse used after a massive earthquake and tsunami hit the country four years ago. Largely due to the system’s military component requiring secrecy, satellite imagery was not provided to firefighters to assist in their strenuous efforts to contain the Fukushima nuclear accident caused by the 2011 disaster.
The government spends 60 to 70 billion yen of taxpayers’ money on the spy satellite system every year (61.4 billion yen for fiscal year 2015) and the total from 1998 amounts to one trillion yen. This generous budget is a stark contrast to limited amount spent for basic astronomical research.
The reason why the government is promoting its spy satellite system project is not only because Prime Minister Abe is seeking to build up Japan’s military strength but also because the aerospace industry, which sees the project as a source of stable profit, is lobbying the government for further spending.
The government in January announced its plan to put eight satellites into orbit in seven years in line with the Japan Business Federation’s proposal to increase the number of Japan’s satellites.
The Cabinet Secretariat runs the surveillance satellite system to provide images of the earth to the Defense Ministry and the Public Security Investigation Agency. The satellite replaces one of four operating satellites.
When introducing the satellite system, the government claimed that it can be useful in times of disaster. This claim, however, turned out to be a mere excuse used after a massive earthquake and tsunami hit the country four years ago. Largely due to the system’s military component requiring secrecy, satellite imagery was not provided to firefighters to assist in their strenuous efforts to contain the Fukushima nuclear accident caused by the 2011 disaster.
The government spends 60 to 70 billion yen of taxpayers’ money on the spy satellite system every year (61.4 billion yen for fiscal year 2015) and the total from 1998 amounts to one trillion yen. This generous budget is a stark contrast to limited amount spent for basic astronomical research.
The reason why the government is promoting its spy satellite system project is not only because Prime Minister Abe is seeking to build up Japan’s military strength but also because the aerospace industry, which sees the project as a source of stable profit, is lobbying the government for further spending.
The government in January announced its plan to put eight satellites into orbit in seven years in line with the Japan Business Federation’s proposal to increase the number of Japan’s satellites.
