Statement of by the Head of Japanese Delegation on Agenda item 4 “General exchange of views” at the 61st session of Scientific and Technical Subcommittee of COPUOS
2024/1/30
Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space
Scientific and Technical Subcommittee 61st Session
Japan, Agenda Item 4– “General Exchange of Views”
Chair, Distinguished Delegates,
The Japanese delegation is pleased to congratulate you on your election. We are confident that we will have a highly successful session under your leadership, and we look forward to working with you. I would also like to express our sincere gratitude to Ambassador Juan Francisco Facetti, the former Chair of this Subcommittee, for his outstanding work during his chairpersonship.
We would like to extend our appreciation to Ms. Aarti Holla-Maini, the Director of the Office for Outer Space Affairs, the Secretariat, and the entire Office for their exceptional work. Japan is committed to supporting the leadership of Director Holla-Maini.
Before turning to the main topic, I would like to use this opportunity to first express Japan's sincere appreciation for the condolences, heart-warming messages and support extended from international community in the wake of the Noto Peninsula Earthquake. I firmly believe that Japanese people will overcome this tragedy with the encouraging messages from the international community in their hearts.
Chair,
In recent years, the number of players in the space sector has been increasing, resulting in the diversification of space activities. In such an evolving environment, Japan recognizes the importance of creating and implementing effective norms to ensure the safety, sustainability, and stability of outer space and we look forward to playing an active role to this end. In this regard, Japan recalls and appreciates the efforts of the Working Group on the Long-Term Sustainability (LTS) of Outer Space Activities and its Chair, Mr. Umamaheswaran. During the LTS Workshop scheduled for February 6, Japan intends to provide input on space debris mitigation and remediation from the perspectives of both space agencies and the private sector. Japan is committed to the success of this working group and the workshop.
Chair,
In June 2023, Japan updated its Basic Plan on Space Policy, recognizing the importance of the space domain as a frontier for cutting-edge science and technology, and as a driver of economic growth. Japan also published the Space Security Initiative to support the stable use of and free access to outer space. Furthermore, the Government of Japan has decided to set up a fund supply function at JAXA, to further support space development by the private sector and academia.
Currently, Japan is newly developing a “Space Technology Strategy,” which is expected to be published by March this year. This strategy will identify technologies that should be developed, including a technology roadmap with a timeline for their development.
Chair,
I would like to take this opportunity to report on recent developments in our space activities. JAXA is developing the H3 Launch Vehicle, Japan’s next-generation flagship rocket. Although its inaugural flight was unsuccessful last year, JAXA is making maximum efforts for a successful return-to-flight on 15 February.
Japan has also been actively engaged in the field of space exploration and space science. Our Basic Plan on Space Policy emphasizes the importance of promoting international cooperation in establishing norms and rules for the sustainable use of space. As a leading space-faring nation, Japan continues to promote space cooperation for the benefit of all humankind. Accordingly, collaboration with international partners is a key component of Japan’s space exploration and science missions.
Significantly, in October 2020, Japan became one of the first signatories to the Artemis Accords, an important political commitment for the governance of civil space exploration and the peaceful uses of outer space.
In the field of lunar exploration, Japan is participating in the Civil Lunar Gateway as part of the Artemis Program by leveraging the knowledge and technology acquired from the ISS program and space science missions. Japan also launched the Smart Lander for Investigating Moon, called SLIM, to demonstrate pinpoint landing technology in September last year. We are pleased to inform you that SLIM successfully landed on the lunar surface two weeks ago. Analysis of the acquired data confirmed that SLIM had reached the Moon’s surface approximately 55m east of the original target landing site, which successfully demonstrated the main mission of SLIM of a pinpoint landing within an accuracy of 100m. JAXA launched SLIM in September 2023 and its objective is to demonstrate precise landing technology on the lunar surface with a lightweight lander/probe system. This is expected to contribute to the future international space science exploration in the solar system.
Beyond lunar exploration, Japan is conducting the development of Martian Moons eXploration (MMX), targeting its launch for Japanese fiscal year 2026. Through this mission, JAXA plans to explore the two Martian moons and bring back a sample from one of the moons, called Phobos, in collaboration with NASA, CNES, DLR, and ESA.
In the field of space science, XRISM, a new X-ray astronomical satellite, was launched successfully by an H-IIA rocket in September 2023 with SLIM. This is a JAXA-led international project in collaboration with partners, such as NASA, and it is expected to greatly contribute to X-ray astronomy. The first image was released publicly on 5 January 2024.
Chair,
Japan has also been promoting regional space cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region. Since 1993, Japan has hosted the Asia-Pacific Regional Space Agency Forum (APRSAF) annually with partners in the Asia-Pacific region. APRSAF serves as a regional networking and collaborative forum for space stakeholders such as space agencies, governmental bodies, private companies, international organizations, universities, and research institutions. In September 2023, Japan and Indonesia co-hosted the 29th annual meeting of APRSAF in Jakarta, updating the highest number of participants in its space industry session.
Additionally, since 2021, Japan has been working with UNOOSA on the “Space Law for New Space Actors” project to support capacity building in Asia-Pacific countries, especially emerging spacefaring nations. As part of this initiative, Japan successfully hosted a capacity-building program in Tokyo this month with more than 20 participants from seven countries in the Asia-Pacific region.
Through its cooperation with UNOOSA, Japan is committed to supporting new space actors in the region in advancing the rule of law in outer space.
I would like to conclude my statement by reiterating that Japan will continue to promote the peaceful exploration and use of outer space in close cooperation with COPUOS. Japan also looks forward to our achievements at COPUOS contributing to constructive discussions on effective future space governance at the UN Summit of the Future in 2024.
Thank you for your kind attention.
Scientific and Technical Subcommittee 61st Session
Japan, Agenda Item 4– “General Exchange of Views”
Chair, Distinguished Delegates,
The Japanese delegation is pleased to congratulate you on your election. We are confident that we will have a highly successful session under your leadership, and we look forward to working with you. I would also like to express our sincere gratitude to Ambassador Juan Francisco Facetti, the former Chair of this Subcommittee, for his outstanding work during his chairpersonship.
We would like to extend our appreciation to Ms. Aarti Holla-Maini, the Director of the Office for Outer Space Affairs, the Secretariat, and the entire Office for their exceptional work. Japan is committed to supporting the leadership of Director Holla-Maini.
Before turning to the main topic, I would like to use this opportunity to first express Japan's sincere appreciation for the condolences, heart-warming messages and support extended from international community in the wake of the Noto Peninsula Earthquake. I firmly believe that Japanese people will overcome this tragedy with the encouraging messages from the international community in their hearts.
Chair,
In recent years, the number of players in the space sector has been increasing, resulting in the diversification of space activities. In such an evolving environment, Japan recognizes the importance of creating and implementing effective norms to ensure the safety, sustainability, and stability of outer space and we look forward to playing an active role to this end. In this regard, Japan recalls and appreciates the efforts of the Working Group on the Long-Term Sustainability (LTS) of Outer Space Activities and its Chair, Mr. Umamaheswaran. During the LTS Workshop scheduled for February 6, Japan intends to provide input on space debris mitigation and remediation from the perspectives of both space agencies and the private sector. Japan is committed to the success of this working group and the workshop.
Chair,
In June 2023, Japan updated its Basic Plan on Space Policy, recognizing the importance of the space domain as a frontier for cutting-edge science and technology, and as a driver of economic growth. Japan also published the Space Security Initiative to support the stable use of and free access to outer space. Furthermore, the Government of Japan has decided to set up a fund supply function at JAXA, to further support space development by the private sector and academia.
Currently, Japan is newly developing a “Space Technology Strategy,” which is expected to be published by March this year. This strategy will identify technologies that should be developed, including a technology roadmap with a timeline for their development.
Chair,
I would like to take this opportunity to report on recent developments in our space activities. JAXA is developing the H3 Launch Vehicle, Japan’s next-generation flagship rocket. Although its inaugural flight was unsuccessful last year, JAXA is making maximum efforts for a successful return-to-flight on 15 February.
Japan has also been actively engaged in the field of space exploration and space science. Our Basic Plan on Space Policy emphasizes the importance of promoting international cooperation in establishing norms and rules for the sustainable use of space. As a leading space-faring nation, Japan continues to promote space cooperation for the benefit of all humankind. Accordingly, collaboration with international partners is a key component of Japan’s space exploration and science missions.
Significantly, in October 2020, Japan became one of the first signatories to the Artemis Accords, an important political commitment for the governance of civil space exploration and the peaceful uses of outer space.
In the field of lunar exploration, Japan is participating in the Civil Lunar Gateway as part of the Artemis Program by leveraging the knowledge and technology acquired from the ISS program and space science missions. Japan also launched the Smart Lander for Investigating Moon, called SLIM, to demonstrate pinpoint landing technology in September last year. We are pleased to inform you that SLIM successfully landed on the lunar surface two weeks ago. Analysis of the acquired data confirmed that SLIM had reached the Moon’s surface approximately 55m east of the original target landing site, which successfully demonstrated the main mission of SLIM of a pinpoint landing within an accuracy of 100m. JAXA launched SLIM in September 2023 and its objective is to demonstrate precise landing technology on the lunar surface with a lightweight lander/probe system. This is expected to contribute to the future international space science exploration in the solar system.
Beyond lunar exploration, Japan is conducting the development of Martian Moons eXploration (MMX), targeting its launch for Japanese fiscal year 2026. Through this mission, JAXA plans to explore the two Martian moons and bring back a sample from one of the moons, called Phobos, in collaboration with NASA, CNES, DLR, and ESA.
In the field of space science, XRISM, a new X-ray astronomical satellite, was launched successfully by an H-IIA rocket in September 2023 with SLIM. This is a JAXA-led international project in collaboration with partners, such as NASA, and it is expected to greatly contribute to X-ray astronomy. The first image was released publicly on 5 January 2024.
Chair,
Japan has also been promoting regional space cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region. Since 1993, Japan has hosted the Asia-Pacific Regional Space Agency Forum (APRSAF) annually with partners in the Asia-Pacific region. APRSAF serves as a regional networking and collaborative forum for space stakeholders such as space agencies, governmental bodies, private companies, international organizations, universities, and research institutions. In September 2023, Japan and Indonesia co-hosted the 29th annual meeting of APRSAF in Jakarta, updating the highest number of participants in its space industry session.
Additionally, since 2021, Japan has been working with UNOOSA on the “Space Law for New Space Actors” project to support capacity building in Asia-Pacific countries, especially emerging spacefaring nations. As part of this initiative, Japan successfully hosted a capacity-building program in Tokyo this month with more than 20 participants from seven countries in the Asia-Pacific region.
Through its cooperation with UNOOSA, Japan is committed to supporting new space actors in the region in advancing the rule of law in outer space.
I would like to conclude my statement by reiterating that Japan will continue to promote the peaceful exploration and use of outer space in close cooperation with COPUOS. Japan also looks forward to our achievements at COPUOS contributing to constructive discussions on effective future space governance at the UN Summit of the Future in 2024.
Thank you for your kind attention.