Trawling the Skies

Agreed.

And if it works, how will it select only the 'junk'?

Or are the Japanese prepared to replace, say, the International Space Station? This assumes LEO trawling.

Hmmm, seems to be a reoccurring theme with the Japs.....thrawling for whales, trawling for Dolphins, trawling for shrimp, trawling for just about any fish out there.....now a proposal to trawl for space junk!!??? What's next? Trawling for ET?????? LMAO

Might be worth reading this and then this

The concept of 'differential velocity' I think depends on how you would deploy it where.

First off, we all have to agree that the problem is real and that a solution is critical to future space exploration. As an American I was born and raised to think of the financial aspects of all ventures. So, one issue for me, if the Japanese can address the physics involved, is why are we not looking into methods of collection that utilize the debris rather than just burning it up on re-entry. A collection system like this will help to address a problem that needs to be dealt with but instead of making it a plus from several angles it limits the concept to only the reduction of debris and does not consider the monumental costs of implimenting such a program. That said, at least they are fielding ideas.