Statement by the Head of Japanese Delegation on Agenda item 3 “General exchange of views” at the 58th session of the Legal Subcommittee of COPUOS
2019/4/1
Mr. Chairperson, Distinguished Delegates,
We would like to express our sincere gratitude to Mr. Andrzej Miszal from Poland for his outstanding chairmanship. We would also like to welcome Cyprus, Ethiopia, Finland, Mauritius and Paraguay as new members of the COPUOS. Furthermore, I would like to congratulate the great success of the UNISPACE+50. I praise the Member States, the OOSA, the members of the bureau of the COPUOS, “G-15,”for the continued effort.
Japan recognizes the importance of the rule of law in the outer space. To ensure the safety, security, sustainability and stability of the outer space, we would like to reiterate all states to conduct their space related activities duly complying with the relevant international laws. Japan reaffirms the importance of the United Nations treaties, and emphasizes 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 acknowledges 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.
Furthermore, I would like to take this opportunity to share our view on the Guidelines on Long-term Sustainability of Outer Space Activities (LTS guidelines), which is another recent and important non-legally binding instruments on outer space. Japan considers the long-term sustainability of outer space activities as one of the very important issue for the prosperity of outer space activities. Japan would like to support the view in favor of having the agreed 21 LTS guidelines and preamble to be endorsed by the COPUOS in coming June of this year and to be sent to the UN General Assembly for the consideration of adoption in the coming fall. Japan is proud of what have been agreed so far by 92 Member States and welcomes the informal consultation for the endorsement of already agreed guidelines and preamble and consideration of the possible future mechanism of the long-term sustainability of outer space activities.
Japan is convinced the LTS guidelines are becoming more important as guidance document to conduct space activities when more states and private entities are involved in space activities. The first five LTS guidelines are on “Policy and regulatory framework for space activities.” In Japan, Act on Launching of Spacecraft, etc. and Control of Spacecraft; called as “Space Activity Act” was enforced in last November. The Act enables Japanese Government to exercise continuous supervision over activities, maintains a register of space objects and is involved in the planning, review and authorization of space activities”. The Act ensures the accurate and smooth implementation of international obligation including the Outer Space Treaty, ensures public safety and protects people affected by relevant damage. Japan established a system for permission to launch a vehicle and control of spacecraft and compensation scheme for damage of third party caused by launching a vehicle. Under the Space Activity Act supervision, all plans are required to satisfy criteria such as prevention of on-orbit break-up and post-mission disposal, thereby decrease the number of space debris.
For the further details on our national legislation, please kindly wait for our technical presentation on “Space Legislation in Japan” by Professor Setsuko Aoki, the incoming chair of the 59th session of the legal subcommittee. For those who are interested in Japanese effort towards capacity building in space law based on our experience, please kindly refer to our technical presentation on “Japan's Capacity-building in Space Law: Recent Progress” in the morning of Tuesday, 9 April.
The increasing number of space debris poses a serious threat to lives of people on the Earth given the growing dependence on the outer space assets by both public and private entities. The outer space plays a key role in the social, economic, scientific and technological development. Ensuring the safety, security and sustainability of outer space activities is essential for the society today. Japan takes solid steps towards the issue of space debris through domestic policy, legal instrument, technical standards, research and development.
One of the recent domestic development in this area is that we established a “task force” on the issue of space debris under the leadership of Minister of State for Space Policy. Japan takes a whole-of-government approach towards the issue of space debris. The task force convenes meetings with an attendance of the Vice-Ministers of the related ministries and the President of Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) to foster information exchange for the efficient measures tackling the issue of space debris.
Japan is also committed to international efforts towards space debris mitigation. Japan has been an active member of IADC and hosted the 36th session last June in Tsukuba, and 147 participants from various space agencies joined designated technical working groups. One of major topics was to update the IADC guideline and discuss further guidance to include numerical criteria, given the increasing congestion of outer space and the rise of a large constellation business model. To achieve the consensus, this proposed revisions will be further reviewed in the next IADC at Rome in coming May.
Another international contribution is that Japan has been actively engaged in and leads the discussion of international rating scheme on debris mitigation measures of satellites in the World Economic Forum (WEF) to encourage industry to voluntary tackle to mitigate the increase in number of space debris. Mr. Kazushi Kobata of JAXA is going to make a technical presentation on sustainable use of outer space environment and the means to tackle the issue of space debris in the morning of Wednesday 3 April.
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 further strengthened our efforts on STM. On 28 February and 1 March, Japan hosted the “International Symposium on Ensuring Stable Use of Outer Space” in Tokyo, which focused on SSA and STM. During the Symposium, panelists and participants discussed ways and means to address the challenges of increasingly congested outer space environment. They also discussed civil-STM initiatives and the importance of international cooperation not only from the viewpoint of security but also for future economic growth.
Mr. Chairperson, Distinguished Delegates,
We would like to take this opportunity to introduce our recent space activities and achievements.
One of our recent activities in space exploration is “Hayabusa2.” In 2010, Japan brought back samples from an asteroid “Itokawa” by “Hayabusa” space probe. This was the world’s first sample return mission from an asteroid. On 22 February, we witnessed the historical moment of touchdown of Hayabusa2, the successor mission, onto asteroid “Ryugu” operation to catch the sample of the asteroid. The Hayabusa2 will return to the Earth with the collected sample in 2020.
Considering the evolution of future international space exploration missions, JAXA recently developed a new internal regulation and unified standard in line with Committee on Space Research (COSPAR) Planetary Protection Policy, which is recognized as “a reference standard for spacefaring nations and in guiding compliance with article IX of the Outer Space Treaty” in this Committee. Firstly, JAXA developed the internal regulation on planetary protection which came into force as of 1 January this year. This regulation stipulates the basic policy of JAXA’s planetary protection measures, definitions and the principal task of responsible organization in JAXA. Especially, this regulation determines the assignment of “Planetary Protection Officer” in JAXA. Secondly, JAXA formulated the new standard “the Planetary Protection Program Standards (JMR-014)” as of February 21, in consistent with the Policy. Japan submitted the detail information on JAXA’s implementation of the Policy to the Compendium in this session for the reference of other delegations’ implementation.
Along with Japan’s pioneering space exploration mission, I would like to touch upon activities in exploration, exploitation and utilization of space resources. Japan is of the view that a debate on rules and norms on activities in exploration, exploitation and utilization of space resources should include both public and private entities in order to ensure those activities are consistent with the existing international law and to encourage the flourishment of the space resource related industry as a whole. Discussion should evolve in a way that reflect the actual technology, economic reality and needs of industry. In this respect, Japan welcomes the lively discussion and exchange of views in the Legal Subcommittee in the inclusive manner. Furthermore, Japan welcomes the discussions on space resources in the Hague Space Resource Governance Working Group. JAXA decided to participate in the working group as an observer from this year. Last year, within Japan, a taskforce was organized and attended by lawyers, academics, private entities and the government of Japan. Japan considers that it is important that all stakeholders closely cooperate so that future activities will develop in a proper and pragmatic manner and in accordance with the international law.
Last but not least, I would now like to touch upon some frameworks of international cooperation. The first is the Asia-Pacific Regional Space Agency Forum (APRSAF), which is an open and flexible cooperative framework in the Asia-Pacific region to enhance space activities and socio-economic benefits from space technologies and their applications. The 25th APRSAF was co-organized by Singapore and Japan was held from November 6-9, 2018 in Singapore under the theme “Innovative Space Technology for Evolving Needs.” The forum was attended by 385 participants from 29 countries and regions, and nine international organizations, including four heads of space agencies and five deputy heads from Asia-Pacific countries as well as high-level officials from governmental institutions in charge of space policy. The next APRSAF-26 will be held in Japan from November 26-29 this year.
Mr. Chairperson, Distinguished Delegates,
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.
We would like to express our sincere gratitude to Mr. Andrzej Miszal from Poland for his outstanding chairmanship. We would also like to welcome Cyprus, Ethiopia, Finland, Mauritius and Paraguay as new members of the COPUOS. Furthermore, I would like to congratulate the great success of the UNISPACE+50. I praise the Member States, the OOSA, the members of the bureau of the COPUOS, “G-15,”for the continued effort.
Japan recognizes the importance of the rule of law in the outer space. To ensure the safety, security, sustainability and stability of the outer space, we would like to reiterate all states to conduct their space related activities duly complying with the relevant international laws. Japan reaffirms the importance of the United Nations treaties, and emphasizes 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 acknowledges 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.
Furthermore, I would like to take this opportunity to share our view on the Guidelines on Long-term Sustainability of Outer Space Activities (LTS guidelines), which is another recent and important non-legally binding instruments on outer space. Japan considers the long-term sustainability of outer space activities as one of the very important issue for the prosperity of outer space activities. Japan would like to support the view in favor of having the agreed 21 LTS guidelines and preamble to be endorsed by the COPUOS in coming June of this year and to be sent to the UN General Assembly for the consideration of adoption in the coming fall. Japan is proud of what have been agreed so far by 92 Member States and welcomes the informal consultation for the endorsement of already agreed guidelines and preamble and consideration of the possible future mechanism of the long-term sustainability of outer space activities.
Japan is convinced the LTS guidelines are becoming more important as guidance document to conduct space activities when more states and private entities are involved in space activities. The first five LTS guidelines are on “Policy and regulatory framework for space activities.” In Japan, Act on Launching of Spacecraft, etc. and Control of Spacecraft; called as “Space Activity Act” was enforced in last November. The Act enables Japanese Government to exercise continuous supervision over activities, maintains a register of space objects and is involved in the planning, review and authorization of space activities”. The Act ensures the accurate and smooth implementation of international obligation including the Outer Space Treaty, ensures public safety and protects people affected by relevant damage. Japan established a system for permission to launch a vehicle and control of spacecraft and compensation scheme for damage of third party caused by launching a vehicle. Under the Space Activity Act supervision, all plans are required to satisfy criteria such as prevention of on-orbit break-up and post-mission disposal, thereby decrease the number of space debris.
For the further details on our national legislation, please kindly wait for our technical presentation on “Space Legislation in Japan” by Professor Setsuko Aoki, the incoming chair of the 59th session of the legal subcommittee. For those who are interested in Japanese effort towards capacity building in space law based on our experience, please kindly refer to our technical presentation on “Japan's Capacity-building in Space Law: Recent Progress” in the morning of Tuesday, 9 April.
The increasing number of space debris poses a serious threat to lives of people on the Earth given the growing dependence on the outer space assets by both public and private entities. The outer space plays a key role in the social, economic, scientific and technological development. Ensuring the safety, security and sustainability of outer space activities is essential for the society today. Japan takes solid steps towards the issue of space debris through domestic policy, legal instrument, technical standards, research and development.
One of the recent domestic development in this area is that we established a “task force” on the issue of space debris under the leadership of Minister of State for Space Policy. Japan takes a whole-of-government approach towards the issue of space debris. The task force convenes meetings with an attendance of the Vice-Ministers of the related ministries and the President of Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) to foster information exchange for the efficient measures tackling the issue of space debris.
Japan is also committed to international efforts towards space debris mitigation. Japan has been an active member of IADC and hosted the 36th session last June in Tsukuba, and 147 participants from various space agencies joined designated technical working groups. One of major topics was to update the IADC guideline and discuss further guidance to include numerical criteria, given the increasing congestion of outer space and the rise of a large constellation business model. To achieve the consensus, this proposed revisions will be further reviewed in the next IADC at Rome in coming May.
Another international contribution is that Japan has been actively engaged in and leads the discussion of international rating scheme on debris mitigation measures of satellites in the World Economic Forum (WEF) to encourage industry to voluntary tackle to mitigate the increase in number of space debris. Mr. Kazushi Kobata of JAXA is going to make a technical presentation on sustainable use of outer space environment and the means to tackle the issue of space debris in the morning of Wednesday 3 April.
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 further strengthened our efforts on STM. On 28 February and 1 March, Japan hosted the “International Symposium on Ensuring Stable Use of Outer Space” in Tokyo, which focused on SSA and STM. During the Symposium, panelists and participants discussed ways and means to address the challenges of increasingly congested outer space environment. They also discussed civil-STM initiatives and the importance of international cooperation not only from the viewpoint of security but also for future economic growth.
Mr. Chairperson, Distinguished Delegates,
We would like to take this opportunity to introduce our recent space activities and achievements.
One of our recent activities in space exploration is “Hayabusa2.” In 2010, Japan brought back samples from an asteroid “Itokawa” by “Hayabusa” space probe. This was the world’s first sample return mission from an asteroid. On 22 February, we witnessed the historical moment of touchdown of Hayabusa2, the successor mission, onto asteroid “Ryugu” operation to catch the sample of the asteroid. The Hayabusa2 will return to the Earth with the collected sample in 2020.
Considering the evolution of future international space exploration missions, JAXA recently developed a new internal regulation and unified standard in line with Committee on Space Research (COSPAR) Planetary Protection Policy, which is recognized as “a reference standard for spacefaring nations and in guiding compliance with article IX of the Outer Space Treaty” in this Committee. Firstly, JAXA developed the internal regulation on planetary protection which came into force as of 1 January this year. This regulation stipulates the basic policy of JAXA’s planetary protection measures, definitions and the principal task of responsible organization in JAXA. Especially, this regulation determines the assignment of “Planetary Protection Officer” in JAXA. Secondly, JAXA formulated the new standard “the Planetary Protection Program Standards (JMR-014)” as of February 21, in consistent with the Policy. Japan submitted the detail information on JAXA’s implementation of the Policy to the Compendium in this session for the reference of other delegations’ implementation.
Along with Japan’s pioneering space exploration mission, I would like to touch upon activities in exploration, exploitation and utilization of space resources. Japan is of the view that a debate on rules and norms on activities in exploration, exploitation and utilization of space resources should include both public and private entities in order to ensure those activities are consistent with the existing international law and to encourage the flourishment of the space resource related industry as a whole. Discussion should evolve in a way that reflect the actual technology, economic reality and needs of industry. In this respect, Japan welcomes the lively discussion and exchange of views in the Legal Subcommittee in the inclusive manner. Furthermore, Japan welcomes the discussions on space resources in the Hague Space Resource Governance Working Group. JAXA decided to participate in the working group as an observer from this year. Last year, within Japan, a taskforce was organized and attended by lawyers, academics, private entities and the government of Japan. Japan considers that it is important that all stakeholders closely cooperate so that future activities will develop in a proper and pragmatic manner and in accordance with the international law.
Last but not least, I would now like to touch upon some frameworks of international cooperation. The first is the Asia-Pacific Regional Space Agency Forum (APRSAF), which is an open and flexible cooperative framework in the Asia-Pacific region to enhance space activities and socio-economic benefits from space technologies and their applications. The 25th APRSAF was co-organized by Singapore and Japan was held from November 6-9, 2018 in Singapore under the theme “Innovative Space Technology for Evolving Needs.” The forum was attended by 385 participants from 29 countries and regions, and nine international organizations, including four heads of space agencies and five deputy heads from Asia-Pacific countries as well as high-level officials from governmental institutions in charge of space policy. The next APRSAF-26 will be held in Japan from November 26-29 this year.
Mr. Chairperson, Distinguished Delegates,
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.