Statement by the Head of Japanese Delegation on Agenda item 4 “General exchange of views” at the 57th session of the Legal Subcommittee of COPUOS
2018/4/10
Mr. Chairman, Distinguished Delegates,
On behalf of the Japanese Government, I am pleased to address the 57th session of the Legal Subcommittee of COPUOS.
We would like to congratulate Mr. Andrzej Miszal from Poland, for assuming the chairmanship of this Subcommittee. We would also like to express our sincere gratitude to Mr. Lagos Koller, former Chairman of this Subcommittee, for his outstanding accomplishments during the past two years. In addition, we welcome Bahrain, Denmark and Norway as new members of the Committee.
In recent years, more and more states have become engaged in space activities. This is why it has become increasingly important for all states to behave in a responsible manner consistent with international laws for the long-term safety, security, sustainability and stability of the space environment.
Japan would like to reiterate the importance of the United Nations treaties, and to emphasize the need to use various fora, including this Subcommittee itself, to call upon Member States to ratify them and to implement them properly.
A number of Principles, Declarations and Guidelines for peaceful uses of outer space in the form of UN General Assembly Resolutions have been developed in the Committee since the early 1980s. Japan would like to reiterate that these Resolutions have played an important role to complement the existing treaties for peaceful use of outer space and we attach great importance to these Resolutions.
In this context, Japan submitted a compendium of responses to the questionnaire under the agenda item “General exchange of Information on non-legally binding United Nations instruments on outer space" at the 55th session of this Subcommittee, which has been updated by the Secretariat since the 56th session. We would like to take this opportunity to express our sincere gratitude to the Secretariat for their contribution.
We hope the compendium will be a useful and meaningful reference to all states and agencies when implementing these non-legally binding United Nations instruments.
Mr. Chairman,
We would like to express our sincere gratitude to Prof. Setsuko Aoki for her outstanding accomplishments as the Chair of the Working Group under the agenda item “Review of the international mechanisms for cooperation in the peaceful exploration and use of outer space”, which concluded its work under the five-year work plan last year.
We note that the result of this work includes useful information such as features of various types of international mechanisms for cooperation, and will serve as an important reference to these mechanisms. In this regard, I would like to emphasize that its work would provide a significant source of information in the context of UNISPACE+50.
Mr. Chairman,
We would like to take this opportunity to introduce recent developments in Japan’s space policies.
To address the increase in the number of actors in space including “new space” actors entering the market on space application, Japan developed two space-related laws, The “Space Activities Act” and the “Act on ensuring adequate handling of satellite remote sensing data”, which came into effect in November 2017.
In order to accurately and smoothly implement UN treaties on outer space, to ensure public safety, and to contribute to enhancing the livelihood of people and development of economic society, the “Space Activities Act” and related orders were enacted to establish a system of authorization for the launch and control of satellites and a compensation scheme for damage caused by these activities.
Concerning Space Traffic Management (STM) and Space Situational Awareness (SSA), we revised the Implementation Plan of the Basic Plan on Space Policy last December and strengthened our research efforts on STM. From 8-9 March, the Cabinet Office of Japan hosted the “International Symposium on Ensuring Stable Use of Outer Space” focusing mainly on SSA and STM. As for STM, we discussed civil-STM initiatives and the importance of international cooperation not only from the viewpoint of security but also for future economic growth. We also presented our latest initiatives and exchanged views on SSA, with ESA, and the German space agency.
Mr. Chairman,
We’d like to take this opportunity to introduce our recent space activities and achievements.
On March 3, we held the 2nd International Space Exploration Forum, or ISEF2 in Tokyo, Japan. Participants from 45 countries and international intergovernmental organizations attended this ministerial level forum and discussed the significance of advancing international cooperation and coordination efforts in space exploration. The participants adopted three outcome documents, namely the “Joint Statement” and the “Tokyo Principles for International Space Exploration” which form a basis for Governments to engage in dialogue to promote international cooperation and long-term space exploration endeavors that deliver benefits to humanity, as well as the “Terms of Reference of the International Space Exploration Forum”. In conjunction with ISEF2, side events for industry (I-ISEF) and young professionals (Y-ISEF) were also held. I-ISEF promoted discussions on space-related business opportunities and space exploration among both space-related and non-space related industries, and Y-ISEF provided students and young professionals with the opportunity for open discussions and international networking.
We would like to express our sincere gratitude to those countries and international organizations that participated and contributed to the success of the forum.
As presented in ISEF2, Japan reaffirms the importance of international cooperation in the field of space exploration. Japan will proceed with the study of an international program including technology aspects and international frameworks, taking into account the participation to the cis-lunar station program planned by the US and exploration on the Moon under international cooperation.
Regarding the international cooperation in the Asia and Pacific regions, Japan has been a long-time supporter of the Asia-Pacific Regional Space Agency Forum (APRSAF) which held its last meeting, APRSAF-24, from 14-17 November in Bengaluru, India. The successful four days meetings covered the possibility of future cooperation in the region, contribution of space technology to the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals, space policy in each country, and benefits of space exploration to the region, which were summarized in the “Joint Statement”. The next meeting, APRSAF-25 will be held in Singapore from 6-9 November this year.
Japan is pleased to announce that Japanese Astronaut, Norishige Kanai began a long-duration mission on the International Space Station last December. He has a medical background as a doctor and his expedition addresses the unique issues of health and longevity that modern society faces. During his stay until June, he will conduct various experiments including those that aim to elucidate the structure and mechanism of amyloid fibril, a known cause for the Alzheimer’s disease, and protein crystal growth experiment. This mission will contribute to research for understanding and treating aging-related symptoms.
Japan has also launched seven space crafts through H-IIA Launch Vehicle No.34 to 38, the third Epsilon Launch Vehicle, and SS-520 No.5. This includes the launch of GCOM-C for remote sensing of surface and atmospheric measurements related to carbon cycle and radiation budget, such as clouds, aerosols, ocean color, vegetation, and snow and ice. Three satellites named “MICHIBIKI,” which constitute a Quasi-Zenith Satellite System (QZSS) were also launched last year. The QZSS is a Japanese navigation satellite system that enables us to expand positioning availability areas and extend available time by sharing the same signals as GPS. Japan established a constellation of 4 satellites and will begin its formal operation this year.
In the area of space science, the second asteroid probe “Hayabusa2” is currently travelling through space and detected “Ryugu” in February of this year. “Hayabusa2” is now under the final preparation phase for arrival at the asteroid “Ryugu” early this summer.
Mr. Chairman,
Allow us conclude our remarks by reassuring the commitment of Japan to fulfilling the goals of COPUOS and by reiterating our willingness to work together with you to achieve tangible results.
Thank you for your kind attention.
On behalf of the Japanese Government, I am pleased to address the 57th session of the Legal Subcommittee of COPUOS.
We would like to congratulate Mr. Andrzej Miszal from Poland, for assuming the chairmanship of this Subcommittee. We would also like to express our sincere gratitude to Mr. Lagos Koller, former Chairman of this Subcommittee, for his outstanding accomplishments during the past two years. In addition, we welcome Bahrain, Denmark and Norway as new members of the Committee.
In recent years, more and more states have become engaged in space activities. This is why it has become increasingly important for all states to behave in a responsible manner consistent with international laws for the long-term safety, security, sustainability and stability of the space environment.
Japan would like to reiterate the importance of the United Nations treaties, and to emphasize the need to use various fora, including this Subcommittee itself, to call upon Member States to ratify them and to implement them properly.
A number of Principles, Declarations and Guidelines for peaceful uses of outer space in the form of UN General Assembly Resolutions have been developed in the Committee since the early 1980s. Japan would like to reiterate that these Resolutions have played an important role to complement the existing treaties for peaceful use of outer space and we attach great importance to these Resolutions.
In this context, Japan submitted a compendium of responses to the questionnaire under the agenda item “General exchange of Information on non-legally binding United Nations instruments on outer space" at the 55th session of this Subcommittee, which has been updated by the Secretariat since the 56th session. We would like to take this opportunity to express our sincere gratitude to the Secretariat for their contribution.
We hope the compendium will be a useful and meaningful reference to all states and agencies when implementing these non-legally binding United Nations instruments.
Mr. Chairman,
We would like to express our sincere gratitude to Prof. Setsuko Aoki for her outstanding accomplishments as the Chair of the Working Group under the agenda item “Review of the international mechanisms for cooperation in the peaceful exploration and use of outer space”, which concluded its work under the five-year work plan last year.
We note that the result of this work includes useful information such as features of various types of international mechanisms for cooperation, and will serve as an important reference to these mechanisms. In this regard, I would like to emphasize that its work would provide a significant source of information in the context of UNISPACE+50.
Mr. Chairman,
We would like to take this opportunity to introduce recent developments in Japan’s space policies.
To address the increase in the number of actors in space including “new space” actors entering the market on space application, Japan developed two space-related laws, The “Space Activities Act” and the “Act on ensuring adequate handling of satellite remote sensing data”, which came into effect in November 2017.
In order to accurately and smoothly implement UN treaties on outer space, to ensure public safety, and to contribute to enhancing the livelihood of people and development of economic society, the “Space Activities Act” and related orders were enacted to establish a system of authorization for the launch and control of satellites and a compensation scheme for damage caused by these activities.
Concerning Space Traffic Management (STM) and Space Situational Awareness (SSA), we revised the Implementation Plan of the Basic Plan on Space Policy last December and strengthened our research efforts on STM. From 8-9 March, the Cabinet Office of Japan hosted the “International Symposium on Ensuring Stable Use of Outer Space” focusing mainly on SSA and STM. As for STM, we discussed civil-STM initiatives and the importance of international cooperation not only from the viewpoint of security but also for future economic growth. We also presented our latest initiatives and exchanged views on SSA, with ESA, and the German space agency.
Mr. Chairman,
We’d like to take this opportunity to introduce our recent space activities and achievements.
On March 3, we held the 2nd International Space Exploration Forum, or ISEF2 in Tokyo, Japan. Participants from 45 countries and international intergovernmental organizations attended this ministerial level forum and discussed the significance of advancing international cooperation and coordination efforts in space exploration. The participants adopted three outcome documents, namely the “Joint Statement” and the “Tokyo Principles for International Space Exploration” which form a basis for Governments to engage in dialogue to promote international cooperation and long-term space exploration endeavors that deliver benefits to humanity, as well as the “Terms of Reference of the International Space Exploration Forum”. In conjunction with ISEF2, side events for industry (I-ISEF) and young professionals (Y-ISEF) were also held. I-ISEF promoted discussions on space-related business opportunities and space exploration among both space-related and non-space related industries, and Y-ISEF provided students and young professionals with the opportunity for open discussions and international networking.
We would like to express our sincere gratitude to those countries and international organizations that participated and contributed to the success of the forum.
As presented in ISEF2, Japan reaffirms the importance of international cooperation in the field of space exploration. Japan will proceed with the study of an international program including technology aspects and international frameworks, taking into account the participation to the cis-lunar station program planned by the US and exploration on the Moon under international cooperation.
Regarding the international cooperation in the Asia and Pacific regions, Japan has been a long-time supporter of the Asia-Pacific Regional Space Agency Forum (APRSAF) which held its last meeting, APRSAF-24, from 14-17 November in Bengaluru, India. The successful four days meetings covered the possibility of future cooperation in the region, contribution of space technology to the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals, space policy in each country, and benefits of space exploration to the region, which were summarized in the “Joint Statement”. The next meeting, APRSAF-25 will be held in Singapore from 6-9 November this year.
Japan is pleased to announce that Japanese Astronaut, Norishige Kanai began a long-duration mission on the International Space Station last December. He has a medical background as a doctor and his expedition addresses the unique issues of health and longevity that modern society faces. During his stay until June, he will conduct various experiments including those that aim to elucidate the structure and mechanism of amyloid fibril, a known cause for the Alzheimer’s disease, and protein crystal growth experiment. This mission will contribute to research for understanding and treating aging-related symptoms.
Japan has also launched seven space crafts through H-IIA Launch Vehicle No.34 to 38, the third Epsilon Launch Vehicle, and SS-520 No.5. This includes the launch of GCOM-C for remote sensing of surface and atmospheric measurements related to carbon cycle and radiation budget, such as clouds, aerosols, ocean color, vegetation, and snow and ice. Three satellites named “MICHIBIKI,” which constitute a Quasi-Zenith Satellite System (QZSS) were also launched last year. The QZSS is a Japanese navigation satellite system that enables us to expand positioning availability areas and extend available time by sharing the same signals as GPS. Japan established a constellation of 4 satellites and will begin its formal operation this year.
In the area of space science, the second asteroid probe “Hayabusa2” is currently travelling through space and detected “Ryugu” in February of this year. “Hayabusa2” is now under the final preparation phase for arrival at the asteroid “Ryugu” early this summer.
Mr. Chairman,
Allow us conclude our remarks by reassuring the commitment of Japan to fulfilling the goals of COPUOS and by reiterating our willingness to work together with you to achieve tangible results.
Thank you for your kind attention.