TechHow Connected Will Rakuten-AST’s ‘Japan Starlink’ Really Be? Challenges Remain for Subsidized J-LEO Project

RAST, selected by Japan’s Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications for the so-called “Japan Starlink” J-LEO project, is bringing together Rakuten and US-based AST SpaceMobile. The venture aims to roll out direct-to-device communications nationwide using low-Earth-orbit satellites. It also plans to cover remote islands and mountainous areas. Yet the 150 billion-yen subsidized project still faces unresolved questions over how broadly and reliably it can connect users.

Japan Starlinklow-Earth-orbit satellitesdirect communicationsRakutenAST SpaceMobile

TToyo Keizai★★☆☆☆2026-07-14 20:20Original