It has come to our attention that the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency
　 　(JAXA) and Lockheed Martin are collaborating on a two-stage rocket
　　　launch　system called GX. 
　　　　　
　　　The proposal is to use these rockets at Vandenberg Air Force Base
　　　in California.　

　　　We have much experience at Vandenberg AFB which is a key military
　　　launch center for nuclear weapons, missile defense, and military　satellites.

　　　We know that today the US Air Force has problems finding enough reliable
　　　launch vehicles　for their growing demand for military launches. 

　　　Thus, we view the GX rocket as an attempt to get Japan　to help
　　　develop a rocket system to assist the Pentagon in launching military
　　　space missions.

　　　We are aware that the Japanese people are being told that the GX would
　　　be　for “commercial launches” at Vandenberg. 

　　　The people of Kodiak Island,　Alaska were told　a similar thing about 10
　　　years ago when a rocket launch center was established on their
　　　environmentally pristine island. 

　　　But in fact, since the opening of the Kodiak rocket launch center,
　　　only US military space weapons technology missions have been launched
　　　 from their island.

　　　The military industrial complex in the US　has for many years been saying
　　　that an arms race in space will be the largest industrial project in the
　　　history　of the planet Earth.  Thus, the US alone cannot afford to pay for
　　　 this expensive　and dangerously destabilizing program all by itself. 

　　　The US　weapons industry　has determined that it must recruit allies to
　　　help pay for this program.  We see it as no coincidence that Japan is now
　　　 being brought into the space weapons　arms race program.

　　　The fact that the GX rocket is presently at least five years late in
　　 production, and three-times over budget, indicates clearly that this
　　　space weapons arms race indeed will be the most expensive program in
　　　Earth history.  This fact will necessitate cut backs in social spending in
　　　the US and in Japan in order to pay for the insatiable appetite of
　　　space technology programs.

　　　Do the people of Japan know this fact? 
　　　Are the people of Japan allowed to discuss this fundamental question of
　　　priorities or has it already been determined that Japan will participate in
　　　this new arms race　without serious and vigorous national debate?

　　　The GX rocket is just the start. 
　　
　　　Next will come requests for funding in Japan to pay for expensive
　　　military satellite systems and then for“defensive” space weapons
　　　technologies to protect the “investments in space” from attack by
　　　“enemies”. 
　　
　　　That is how arms races begin.

　　　Now is the time for the people of Japan and people all around the world
　　　to speak out strongly to prevent a new arms race from beginning. 
　　　
　　　We have this one brief moment in history to prevent this new space
　　　weapons arms race. My hope is that the Japanese government will
　　　reconsider its basic plan on space and instead move to join those
　　　around the world who are working hard to keep space for peace.

　　　In peace,

　　Bruce K. Gagnon
　　Coordinator
　　Global Network Against Weapons & Nuclear Power in Space
　　PO Box652
　　Brunswick, ME　04011
　　globalnet@mindspring.com
　　　　

　　　　It should be a concern to many people not only in Japan and Vandenberg
　　　but　also in　Korea and other Asia countries who have been in vigil against
　　　the　resurrection of the Japanese militarism and imperialism. 

　　 　As a Korean, it is　 heard also as threat for the prospect of the peaceful
　　　reunification of Koreasince with the Japan’s closer integration to the U.S
　　　space war system, themore possibility of tension and wars could also be
　　　predicted in Korea, thecrossing zone.

　　　 It is heard that the Japan is the country which has had the most
　　　progressivespace principle in 1969 which promotes for peace in space
　　　but now in danger　of being nullified by the emergence of the Japanese
　　　military Industrial　complex.
　　　
　　　The principle has to be widely shared and kept by all the　peace-loving
　　　people in the world with the Article 9 where the Japan　truly　stands on
　　　and represents its peaceful heart.
　　
　　　The Japanese people deserve to live in peace, not under the threat of
　　　the　military industrial complex which would eventually rob of their rights
　　　for decent　welfare and for living in peace.

　　　We, Koreans support all the efforts by the peace-loving Japanese friends
　　　to　stop the madness and to stand for Justice with the people in the world.

　　　Sung-Hee Choi
　　
　　　Advisory board member, Global Network against Weapons and Nuclear
　　　　 Power in　Space　
　　　A member of the Korea organizing committee for the International
　 　　　Conference　against the Asia Pacific Missile Defense and for
　　　　　the End of　Arms Race,　Seoul, April 16　to 18, 2009