MOSCOW: The Japanese government on Tuesday decided to halt testing of anti-satellite weapons to promote discussions about responsible behavior in space, according to the Japanese foreign ministry.

"This decision is the result of the Japanese government's considerations following the United States government's announcement in April not to conduct destructive, direct ascent anti-satellite (ASAT) missile tests," the ministry said in a statement.

The ministry stressed that Tokyo wants to actively promote discussion in the international community about the development of responsible space behavior norms.

Simultaneously, the country "will continue to play an active role in achieving a safe, stable and sustainable outer space."

During a visit to Vandenberg Space Force Base in California earlier this month, US Vice President Kamala Harris announced a decision to ban US anti-satellite weapons tests.

NASA Administrator Bill Nelson called on other countries to put a similar moratorium on testing of anti-satellite weapons. that time.

Former Roscosmos chief Dmitry Rogozin noted the US administration's inconsistency and requested an adequate response to Russia and China's proposals on a treaty on the prevention of the placement of weapons in outer space.

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