On September 11th, 2022 (Japan Standard Time), AST SpaceMobile successfully launched the test satellite BlueWalker 3 into orbit from the USA. On November 14th, AST SpaceMobile also announced the successful deployment of the communications array for its test satellite, BlueWalker 3, in orbit. In order to conduct communication tests between the test satellite launched by AST SpaceMobile and gateway earth stations in Japan and to perform preliminary verification with smartphones, Rakuten Mobile made applications to the Tohoku Telecommunications Bureau for a Gateway Experimental Test Station licence (equivalent to a mobile base station) and to the Kanto Telecommunications Bureau for a Mobile Terminal Experimental Test Station licence (equivalent to a portable mobile base station), and both applications have now been approved.