SpaceData Appoints Kazuya Iwamoto, Former Leader of Missile Defense at Ministry of Defense and Cyber Defense at Cabinet, as Chief Defense Officer (CDO)

SpaceData Inc. (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Koyo Sato; hereinafter "SpaceData") announces that Kazuya Iwamoto has been appointed Chief Defense Officer (CDO) effective July 2026.

SpaceData is advancing its defense and security business by leveraging digital twin and AI technologies that precisely recreate Earth and space. The company has been selected for advanced technology programs by Japan's Ministry of Defense and Self-Defense Forces, and is now actively expanding in the defense sector. Multiple large-scale defense projects are currently underway, making specialized defense expertise and high-level security infrastructure more critical than ever in strengthening national resilience.

Mr. Iwamoto is a defense and cybersecurity expert who successfully led the development of JADGE (Joint All-Domain Ground Environment), the world's first hybrid air and ballistic missile defense system, as part of a joint government-industry team in the Japan Air Self-Defense Force. He also served on the front lines of cyber defense for government agencies at the Cabinet Cybersecurity Center. As CDO, he will oversee the execution of large-scale defense projects and lead SpaceData’s entire defense business and security framework—from strategic planning and implementation of defense-related initiatives to development support from a weapons systems perspective and the advancement of cybersecurity governance.

Statement from the Appointee

Today’s security environment is marked by the weakening of international coordination institutions and an era in which nations assert themselves through displays of power. In such times, a nation’s survival depends not only on the scale and performance of its military capabilities, but also on its vulnerability to paralysis of critical infrastructure—such as power, communications, and logistics—and societal division caused by disinformation, which can halt national decision-making. Thus, we have entered an era of 'comprehensive vulnerability attacks' in national security.

Precisely because we live in such chaotic times, I believe Japanese values—such as 'omotenashi' (hospitality), respect for public order and etiquette, and the preservation of traditional culture—can contribute to international cooperation. Our vision of a global digital twin aims to digitally recreate all phenomena occurring on Earth and in the surrounding space, simulating and predicting everything from natural events to social and information dynamics. This grand endeavor allows us to anticipate countless possible futures and make better decisions to realize the best ones. I am excited by the possibility that, if we can simulate these Japanese cultural values within this framework, we might be able to visualize a brighter future for the international community in high fidelity.

To realize this dream through collaboration and interaction with my colleagues, I pledge to do everything within my power—however modest—to protect my team and to seriously consider and execute all that I can contribute.

Profile of Kazuya Iwamoto

Chief Defense Officer (CDO), SpaceData Inc.

After graduating from the National Defense Academy of Japan, Mr. Iwamoto joined the Japan Air Self-Defense Force. He served in various roles, including management of the BADGE system, Japan’s introduction of the E-767 (AWACS) early warning aircraft, staff at the Western Air Defense Force headquarters, and the Command and Staff Course. At the Air Staff Office, Equipment Systems Division, he served as the operational and budget lead for the development of JADGE, the world’s first hybrid air and ballistic missile defense system, successfully guiding its operational launch. He later held key positions including commander of a program management unit, senior coordinator at the Air Staff Office Education Division, head of the Information Assurance Unit, GSOC/CYMAT Chief at the Cabinet Cybersecurity Center, and instructor at the Senior Staff School. After transitioning to the private sector, he served as a security officer, establishing security frameworks and operating SOC/CSIRT at multiple companies. Inspired by CEO Koyo Sato’s vision to “do work that benefits Japan,” he formally joined SpaceData in February 2026.

About SpaceData Inc.

SpaceData Inc. is a technology startup founded on the vision of “a society where space is accessible to everyone.” By integrating space and digital technologies, the company aims to create new industries and social infrastructure.

Leveraging digital twin technology that precisely replicates Earth and space environments, SpaceData is building digital platforms to support the future—from urban development and disaster prevention to national security. Additionally, the company is developing operational platforms for space robots and space stations to help realize a sustainable space-based society.

The latest updates and announcements from SpaceData are available on the “NEWS” section of its official website.

For more details, please visit: https://spacedata.jp/news

Company Name: SpaceData Inc.

CEO: Koyo Sato

Headquarters: Toranomon Hills Business Tower, 1-17-1 Toranomon, Minato-ku, Tokyo

Capital: ¥1.513 billion

Business: Investment and research related to space development

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