Japan Selects Rakuten/AST SpaceMobile for Low Earth Orbit Satellite Project
What happened
The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications selected a joint proposal submitted by Rakuten Mobile and its preparatory company for the J-LEO: Japan Low Earth Orbit Satellite Communications Project. This project involves Rakuten AST and AST SpaceMobile collaborating to deploy satellites compatible with mid-band spectrum. Rakuten AST is expected to receive up to 148 billion yen in support over approximately three years.
From thefastmode.com
Why it matters
The J-LEO project aims to build domestic communications infrastructure that enables direct satellite-to-smartphone connectivity. Furthermore, the project seeks to strengthen economic security by establishing a framework for emergency inter-carrier roaming among mobile network operators.
Vietnam and Japan held a bilateral dialogue on October 30, 2026, regarding cooperation in digital infrastructure and safe AI governance.
From thefastmode.com
Who's involved
- Ministry of Internal Affairs and CommunicationsMinistry of Internal Affairs and Communications, which selected the joint proposal
- Rakuten MobileRakuten Mobile, which submitted the joint proposal for the project
- AST SpaceMobileAST SpaceMobile, which will collaborate on deploying the satellite network
Who could feel it
Possible knock-on effectsThese are possibilities Brind reasoned out, not predictions, and not advice. Most are not stated in any report.
- AST SpaceMobileSpeculative
AST SpaceMobile could receive a direct contract award for satellite supply through the J-LEO project funding.
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The entities involved
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Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications
ministry of Japan
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Rakuten Mobile
Japanese telecommunications company
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