Takafumi Horie (堀江貴文) called for Japan to have its own version of Starlink and pointed to communications restrictions in Ukraine and the national security risks of relying on US companies. Interstellar Technologies is aiming to build its own satellite network, while progress in the technology and launch infrastructure needed to make it a reality was also reported.
On 15 October, Takafumi Horie (堀江貴文) called for Japan to have its own satellite communications network on his YouTube channel and discussed restrictions on communications use in Ukraine. He pointed to the national security risks of relying on communications services provided by foreign companies, such as Starlink operated by US-based SpaceX.
Takafumi Horie (堀江貴文) also raised concerns about communications restrictions affecting drones, citing reports that it becomes difficult to maintain communications when drones equipped with Starshield terminals in Ukraine exceed speeds of 160 km/h. He said this would “effectively amount to crippling Ukraine’s drones.” Starshield is SpaceX’s military system, and the US government is reportedly responsible for managing it and determining restrictions on speed and use.
Takafumi Horie (堀江貴文) expressed concern that communications access could be affected by US decisions even for allied countries, and called for each region, including Japan, to have its own low-Earth-orbit satellite communications network.
The space development company Interstellar Technologies, where Takafumi Horie (堀江貴文) serves as a director, aims to build its own satellite communications network, “Our Stars.” It plans to use a large number of ultra-small satellites to provide high-speed, high-capacity communications directly to smartphones and vehicles.
The company is developing technology that uses electromagnets to control the relative positions of ultra-small satellites. Its concept is to fly them in formation as a constellation and have them function as a single large antenna. The company announced that it conducted an initial validation of the control technology through simulations and ground experiments in March 2026.
The company believes it will need to place a large number of satellites into orbit. In addition to accelerating the commercialisation of its small “ZERO” rocket, it has begun designing the larger “DECA” rocket for the future.