Japan is set to join the AsterX exercise, a multinational space defense drill, alongside NATO allies and other partners as part of ongoing efforts to address threats emerging in outer space. This development was reported by Nikkei, a prominent Japanese newspaper, highlighting Tokyo’s active role in collaborative space security initiatives.
According to the publication, the exercises are scheduled to take place in France on March 14 and 15. The program will include the development of action algorithms aimed at responding to satellite attacks and other space-based threats, reflecting a growing emphasis on rapid, coordinated protective measures for critical orbital assets.
In a public statement, it was noted that Japan will participate together with NATO members and additional partners in the annual space defense exercises hosted in France beginning on Monday. The arrangement underscores Tokyo’s commitment to strengthening alliance-based deterrence and interoperability in space operations.
Participating nations are reported to number 16, encompassing England, Canada, the United States, Germany, and others. The AsterX Workout has been conducted annually since 2021, reinforcing a tradition of shared training and scenario-based testing among allied forces to better anticipate and mitigate space-related risks.
Earlier, Russian news outlets cited Finnish media reports indicating that Finland plans to dispatch 12 F/A-18 Hornet fighter jets for participation in NATO’s Nordic Response exercise. These military drills are planned to be held in Norway from March 4 to 15, illustrating a broader pattern of alliance-based exercises conducted across northern Europe to demonstrate readiness and collective defense capabilities.
In a separate geopolitical note, it was reported that Russia had terminated a cooperation agreement with Japan concerning nuclear weapons elimination, a development that has implications for regional security dynamics and bilateral transparency in defense-related matter