$ASTS – U.S. and Japan Highlight AST SpaceMobile-Rakuten Partnership AST SpaceMobile ($ASTS) is getting a major boost in visibility after the U.S. and Japan specifically highlighted its cooperation with Rakuten Group as part of their Technology Prosperity Deal. In a joint statement released on October 5, the two governments welcomed the cooperation between Japan’s Rakuten Group and U.S.-based AST SpaceMobile for the development and deployment of Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite infrastructure. The broader agreement also calls for deeper cooperation on secure and resilient telecommunications networks and digital connectivity across the Indo-Pacific. For ASTS, the important part is that its Rakuten relationship is now being referenced directly within a broader U.S.-Japan technology and connectivity framework. This gives the partnership additional strategic visibility as both countries look to strengthen telecommunications infrastructure and connectivity. Rakuten and AST SpaceMobile have been working together for several years to bring direct-to-smartphone satellite connectivity to Japan. Their technology has already demonstrated voice and video connectivity using ordinary, unmodified smartphones. Rakuten has been targeting commercial satellite-to-mobile service in Japan from Q4 2026. The opportunity is also getting government support in Japan. Rakuten was selected for Japan's J-LEO satellite communications project, with the initiative aimed at building a resilient domestic satellite network. AST SpaceMobile's Q2 update said the Rakuten-AST joint venture had been preliminarily selected for the initiative, with potential government support of up to approximately $1 billion. The Japan market could be especially important because satellite connectivity can help cover remote islands, mountainous areas and locations where terrestrial infrastructure is damaged during disasters. Rakuten has already highlighted these use cases for its planned service with AST SpaceMobile. Why it matters: This is more than another telecom partnership announcement. ASTS is increasingly being positioned as part of a broader effort to build resilient satellite-based communications infrastructure, while its partner network continues to expand globally. AST SpaceMobile reported more than 60 mobile network operator partners covering over 3 billion subscribers as of its Q2 2026 update. Bottom line: The U.S.-Japan recognition adds strategic visibility to the ASTS + Rakuten relationship and strengthens the case for Japan as an important market for AST SpaceMobile's direct-to-device network. #ASTS #ASTSpaceMobile #Rakuten #Japan #LEO #Satellite #DirectToDevice #Telecom #SpaceTech #Connectivity