The Defense Ministry plans to use space more effectively to detect early signs of ballistic missile launches by North Korea and bolster Japan's defensive capabilities, a draft of its new space policy showed Friday.

In the basic policy to be formally adopted by the end of August, the ministry hopes to promote empirical research with the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). It will also consider setting up a special force for space surveillance within the Self-Defense Forces, and developing smaller satellites that can be launched more easily, according to the draft.

Japan has four spy satellites. The Defense Ministry plans to load its infrared sensors onto a new JAXA satellite to conduct research and improve its image-analysis capabilities, the draft says.