NEC Corporation is preparing to develop a large-scale satellite constellation consisting of hundreds of optical communication satellites designed to operate as an integrated system for high-capacity data transmission. The initiative, expected to be Japan’s largest satellite network, aims to begin operation in the 2030s, according to information obtained about the project.
The network is intended to support a broad range of applications, including precise remote control of vehicles and vessels, disaster situation assessment, drone navigation, and autonomous operation of agricultural machinery in remote areas. By transmitting data through laser light, these optical communication satellites will offer higher volumes of data transfer compared to conventional radio wave-based satellites and reduce vulnerability to interception.
NEC plans to gradually expand the constellation with multiple satellite launches, deploying them at an altitude of roughly 1,000 kilometers. A test satellite launch is scheduled for the next fiscal year or later. Currently, Japanese satellite constellations number around 10 satellites each and often serve multiple purposes beyond communications, but NEC’s project aims for a constellation of several hundred satellites with potential plans to increase this number further.
The planned optical network will also feature radio communication capabilities. NEC has submitted an application to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), via Japan’s Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, proposing a constellation of approximately 1,300 satellites. The ITU, a United Nations specialized agency based in Geneva, allocates satellite frequencies by country.
Japan’s existing terrestrial fiber-optic networks cover areas encompassing about 99% of the population, yet roughly 40% of the country’s land—primarily mountainous regions and remote islands—remains without such coverage. This gap raises concerns about communication disruptions during emergencies or natural disasters. A low-latency, high-capacity satellite network would enhance connectivity in these underserved areas and contribute to Japan’s economic security by reducing reliance on foreign satellite systems.
The government is reportedly backing NEC’s effort through the Space Strategy Fund and the Key and Advanced Technology R&D through Cross Community Collaboration Program, which supports public-private partnerships on technologies deemed nationally important.
The global satellite constellation market is currently led by companies such as the U.S.-based SpaceX, whose Starlink constellation of about 10,000 satellites has been instrumental in drone control and military operations, including in Ukraine. Other nations, including China, Russia, and Europe, are pursuing similar constellations to expand their communication capabilities.
An official from Japan’s Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications emphasized the strategic importance of the initiative, noting the need to establish a domestic satellite infrastructure independent of foreign entities as an emerging form of social infrastructure. An NEC executive expressed hopes that the project will enable new business models and services unattainable with existing technology.