Japan and EU Join Forces to Launch Independent Satellite Network: A Strategic Shift in a Changing World

Japan and the European Union are preparing a major initiative to develop a joint satellite communication network — a project poised to become a turning point in global security and technological autonomy. According to a draft agreement cited by Nikkei Asia on July 12, 2025, the plan will be officially unveiled at the upcoming Japan–EU summit in Tokyo on July 23.

Amid accelerating global shifts and growing instability from East Asia to Eastern Europe, both parties aim to reduce external dependencies in critical sectors — particularly satellite communications and defense industry collaboration. The initiative envisions a constellation of small satellites operating as an integrated system. This infrastructure is designed to ensure secure, resilient communication, free from reliance on existing commercial operators that currently dominate the market.

The project, unofficially referred to in diplomatic circles as “Autonomous Sky,” extends beyond satellite deployment. It includes joint programs in cybersecurity, intelligence sharing, and expanded defense industrial cooperation. Priorities include the co-development of navigation systems, secure communications, and advanced observation satellites — including those capable of tracking hypersonic threats.

Defense collaboration is expected to reach new levels: discussions are underway on regular joint exercises, military protocol standardization, and even partial alignment of defense spending. Support for Ukraine and coordinated responses to rising military activity in various regions also remain central to the agenda.

In recent months, several European leaders have stressed the need to build their own security infrastructure, especially in light of political shifts in North America. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk have spoken of a “new era of responsibility” in which Europe must “rely on its own strength” in defense and technology.

Japan, meanwhile, is undergoing a strategic overhaul of its defense policy. In 2025, the country allocated a record $55 billion to defense spending, including roughly $6 billion for space and missile defense systems. The expansion reflects growing tensions in the Asia-Pacific region and the need to respond to 21st-century technological threats.

For Japan, the joint program with EU member states is not only a diversification of partnerships but a means to amplify its regional influence in a landscape increasingly shaped by the actions of China and North Korea. Analysts point out that cooperation with European countries enables Tokyo not just to bolster defense, but to play a more active role in shaping the global security framework.

According to the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), Japan aims to build an early warning system based on satellite technologies, including surveillance of hypersonic missile launches. Partnering with European nations — home to advanced engineering and high-tech firms like ISISPACE (Netherlands) and Indra (Spain) — could significantly accelerate development and deployment.

Amid growing activity among global military alliances and expanding arms transfers between certain countries, Japan and the EU are betting on deterrence through technological advantage and coordinated political resolve. The draft agreement also emphasizes enhanced cooperation in digital security, maritime patrol operations, and the protection of critical infrastructure.

The initiative is aligned with broader European defense integration efforts, particularly the European Defence Industrial Strategy (EDIS), which aims to strengthen production autonomy and reduce reliance on external suppliers in both military and dual-use technologies. As such, the joint Japan–EU satellite network could become the first in a wave of cooperative projects that span both defense and civilian domains.

In a time of shifting global power balances and the rise of alternative alliances, Japan and the EU are taking a bold step toward building their own technological and defense sovereignty. Their partnership not only marks a new era of strategic self-reliance but also sends a clear message to others seeking a resilient and interdependent future.

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