According to a report by Nikkei Asia on the 17th, people familiar with the matter revealed that Ukraine has requested Japan to provide high-resolution satellite image support in order to better grasp the movement of the Russian army. The Japanese government is currently considering it.
Japan now has satellites equipped with synthetic aperture radar (SAR) that can pass through clouds and atmospheres to capture images during or at night. These satellites are partly owned by the government and partly by private companies.
Screenshot of Nikkei Asia report
According to a number of people familiar with the matter, Ukraine's relevant request was first made directly to the commercial operator of the Japanese SAR satellite. Later, the intention was also expressed for all satellite image data owned by the Japanese government.
Since these satellite images will be used for military purposes, it is expected that whether or not they will be provided will eventually be finalized by Japan's National Security Agency (NSA). The Japanese government will carefully consider the situation in the Ukrainian region before making a decision, people familiar with the matter said.
The use of Satellite Data from Japan is governed by the country's remote sensing laws. The sale of images to overseas customers is allowed under certain conditions, but the data must be encrypted to prevent use by hostile forces. Currently, the agency responsible for SAR satellite technology within the Japanese government is the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA).
On February 28, 2022 local time, satellite imagery showed that Ukraine's HOSTOMEL airport was destroyed. Pictured from Visual China
The Japanese government had earlier provided bulletproof vests to Ukraine as emergency assistance support. There are concerns that once Japan provides satellite imagery to Ukraine, Russia may see it as a deeper involvement in the Russian-Ukrainian conflict.
In addition to Japan, the Ukrainian side has recently sought satellite image support from other Western countries and private companies.
Earlier, on March 1, Mykhailo Fedorov, the deputy prime minister of the Ukrainian government and minister of digital transformation, tweeted an appeal to help monitor Russian troops through synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite imagery from other countries.
Fedorov Twitter screenshot
Fedorov said: "We urgently need to observe the movements of the Russian army, especially at night, and our existing technology cannot work." During the day, 80% of Ukraine's areas are covered by clouds, so synthetic aperture radar images are important for understanding the activities of Russian troops and vehicles at night. ”
According to the Washington Post reported on March 10, a spokesperson for EOS Data Analysis, which helps the Ukrainian government process satellite imagery, said in an interview that so far, 8 of the SAR operators contacted by Fedorov have not responded directly, and only 5 have agreed to share images.
In addition, according to the US media space news (SPACE NEWS) reported on March 3, one of the SAR operators contacted by Fedorov, South Korea's SI Imaging Service Company (SIIS) directly said on the 3rd: "There is nothing that can be provided." ”
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