The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) selected the joint proposal from Rakuten’s preparatory company and Rakuten Mobile for the publicly solicited "J-LEO: Japan Low Earth Orbit Satellite Communications Project". Rakuten AST is expected to receive up to 148 billion yen (approx. 1 billion USD) in support over approximately three years under J-LEO, through the Communications and Information Network Association of Japan (CIAJ), the organization established to manage the fund. Through this joint venture, Rakuten AST will collaborate with AST SpaceMobile to deploy and manage satellites compatible with mid-band spectrum, in order to establish a satellite communications network and commence domestic operations by the end of March 2029.
The J-LEO Project will leverage the largest communication satellites ever deployed in LEO to build domestic communications infrastructure that enables direct satellite-to-smartphone connectivity and strengthens economic security. In addition to extending cellular broadband connectivity to areas with limited or no terrestrial coverage, the project aims to ensure cellular broadband connectivity during emergencies, such as natural disasters,...