COPUOS本委員会第62会期：議題4「一般発言」ステートメント（日本代表団長）
令和元年6月12日
Thank you, Chair,
The Japanese delegation congratulates you on your election.
On behalf of the Government of Japan, I am honored to address the 62nd session of COPUOS. I would like to congratulate the success of UNISPACE+50, which along with COPUOS has played a critical role in fostering international cooperation in outer space. We warmly welcome Cyprus, Ethiopia, Finland, Mauritius and Paraguay as new members of the Committee.
Japan believes securing the stable use of the outer space environment is important and strongly encourages all Stat to cooperate in preventing the creation and diffusion of long-lived orbital debris in a manner that is consistent with international law. We underline the importance of strengthened international norms of behaviors in outer space. At a time when more states and private entities have gained access to space, implementation of the consensus LTS guidelines has become critical to conducting space activities in a sustainable manner. We call upon all member states to implement the consensus LTS guidelines. Japan is committed to leading the discussion through sharing its practices and procedures to support the practical implementation.
The first five LTS guidelines are on “Policy and regulatory framework for space activities.” Last November, we enforced the “Space
Activity Act”. Under this act, all programs are required to meet criteria such as ensuring the prevention of on-orbit break-up and post-mission disposal, thereby decrease the number of space debris. Through the Act, we take the lead in the implementation of the LTS guidelines.
The increasing number of space debris poses a serious threat to the lives of people on Earth given our growing dependence on outer space assets. Japan takes solid steps towards the issue of space debris through various ways. This year, Japan has started its challenge to remove large sized space debris along with industries.
Under the leadership of Minister of State for Space Policy, a “task force,” comprised of the related State Ministers of the Japanese government and the President of JAXA, was held twice this year to discuss the efficient measures tackling the issue of space debris. Two weeks ago, the task force agreed on the vision and concluded the government measures to mitigate space debris. We will continue to be committed to this matter.
Moreover, Japan is committed to international efforts. Japan hosted the 36th session last year in Tsukuba and participating in discussions on the IADC space debris mitigation guidelines and UN space debris mitigation guidelines. We call upon all states to adhere to them. Furthermore, Japan has been 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 mitigate space debris. Last month, WEF selected an international and transdisciplinary team to contribute to the definition of the technical elements and operations of the Space Sustainability Rating (SSR).
For further details on efforts to tackle with space debris, we invite you to listen to a technical presentation later on today, which will be presented on “Commercial Space Debris Removal Service for the Long-term Sustainability of Space” by Mr. Nobu Okada, the CEO of ASTROSCALE, a pioneer company proposing to aid in the removal of orbital debris. Furthermore, Japan will host a free sushi dinner reception devoted to the issue of space debris on Friday evening at 18:15 on 14th of June. We are looking forward to welcoming you all.
I would now like to turn to space exploration. Japan is pursuing our future activities from low Earth orbit to space exploration, in cooperation with our international partners. Japan accelerates discussions on cooperation regarding moon exploration. Last month, Japan and the US confirmed to strengthen cooperation on the issue of space in areas including security, exploration, and industry and shared the view to accelerate discussions on cooperation regarding moon exploration in Japan-U.S. Summit Meeting.
We will introduce our space exploration activities in the new agenda item 14, and also during the technical presentation in the morning of 17th of June.
Regarding space science missions, JAXA is currently conducting the Hayabusa-2 mission In the next few weeks, JAXA is planning to conduct the second touchdown operation on an asteroid.
For further details on Hayabusa-2, we invite you to listen to our technical presentation tomorrow morning by Dr. Hitoshi Kuninaka, the former project manager of Hayabusa-2, who is now the Vice President of JAXA.
Chair, distinguished delegates,
I would now like to touch upon the activities regarding space resources. Japan considers it important to encourage all stakeholders to collaborate so that future activities can develop in a proper and pragmatic manner and in accordance with international law. Discussions should evolve in a way that reflects current technology, economic reality and needs of industry. In this respect, Japan welcomes discussions on this issue at the Legal Subcommittee and in the Hague Space Resource Governance Working Group. JAXA participates in it as an observer from this year.
Speaking of international cooperation, a successful partnership that comes to mind is the ISS. Using the ISS, Japan, in cooperation with UNOOSA, launched a program called KiboCUBE, in 2015, as a capacity-building initiative. So far, Kenya, Guatemala, Mauritius, and Indonesia were selected for the previous rounds, and Kenya had experienced the successful deployment of its first satellite last year. This Monday, JAXA and OOSA announced the selection of a team from the Republic of Moldova as the winner of the fourth round of KiboCUBE. The CubeSat developed through this programme will be Moldova’s first satellite. Currently, we are opening the fifth round of KiboCUBE. We look forward to welcoming many applications from COPUOS member states.
The Asia-Pacific Regional Space Agency Forum (APRSAF) is another example of a successful cooperation initiative. APRSAF welcomes participants from various entities from over 30 countries. This year, Japan will host the 26th session of APRSAF from November 26 to 29 in Nagoya, under the theme “Advancing Diverse Links Towards a New Space Era.
One of APRSAF activities is the creation of space community in the Asia-pacific region. APRSAF together with European Space Policy Institute (ESPI) is co-organizing a side event titled “The Inter-Regional Space Policy Dialogue between Asia-Pacific and Europe” on June 19th during lunchtime. We welcome you to the event that will be followed by a reception with delicious Japanese foods.
Lastly, I would like to offer Japan’s support for this session’s new Agenda Item 15 "Space 2030 Agenda.” My delegation is convinced of the importance of this agenda for reaffirming and strengthening the contributions of space activities and space tools to support the global development agendas. We are supportive of having the concept of global health included in the agenda and we will continue to take the lead in this discussion with our experts, including Astronaut Dr. Chiaki Mukai.
Chair, distinguished delegates,
Japan will continue its efforts in research, exploration and international cooperation for the benefit of humankind.
Thank you for your kind attention.
The Japanese delegation congratulates you on your election.
On behalf of the Government of Japan, I am honored to address the 62nd session of COPUOS. I would like to congratulate the success of UNISPACE+50, which along with COPUOS has played a critical role in fostering international cooperation in outer space. We warmly welcome Cyprus, Ethiopia, Finland, Mauritius and Paraguay as new members of the Committee.
Japan believes securing the stable use of the outer space environment is important and strongly encourages all Stat to cooperate in preventing the creation and diffusion of long-lived orbital debris in a manner that is consistent with international law. We underline the importance of strengthened international norms of behaviors in outer space. At a time when more states and private entities have gained access to space, implementation of the consensus LTS guidelines has become critical to conducting space activities in a sustainable manner. We call upon all member states to implement the consensus LTS guidelines. Japan is committed to leading the discussion through sharing its practices and procedures to support the practical implementation.
The first five LTS guidelines are on “Policy and regulatory framework for space activities.” Last November, we enforced the “Space
Activity Act”. Under this act, all programs are required to meet criteria such as ensuring the prevention of on-orbit break-up and post-mission disposal, thereby decrease the number of space debris. Through the Act, we take the lead in the implementation of the LTS guidelines.
The increasing number of space debris poses a serious threat to the lives of people on Earth given our growing dependence on outer space assets. Japan takes solid steps towards the issue of space debris through various ways. This year, Japan has started its challenge to remove large sized space debris along with industries.
Under the leadership of Minister of State for Space Policy, a “task force,” comprised of the related State Ministers of the Japanese government and the President of JAXA, was held twice this year to discuss the efficient measures tackling the issue of space debris. Two weeks ago, the task force agreed on the vision and concluded the government measures to mitigate space debris. We will continue to be committed to this matter.
Moreover, Japan is committed to international efforts. Japan hosted the 36th session last year in Tsukuba and participating in discussions on the IADC space debris mitigation guidelines and UN space debris mitigation guidelines. We call upon all states to adhere to them. Furthermore, Japan has been 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 mitigate space debris. Last month, WEF selected an international and transdisciplinary team to contribute to the definition of the technical elements and operations of the Space Sustainability Rating (SSR).
For further details on efforts to tackle with space debris, we invite you to listen to a technical presentation later on today, which will be presented on “Commercial Space Debris Removal Service for the Long-term Sustainability of Space” by Mr. Nobu Okada, the CEO of ASTROSCALE, a pioneer company proposing to aid in the removal of orbital debris. Furthermore, Japan will host a free sushi dinner reception devoted to the issue of space debris on Friday evening at 18:15 on 14th of June. We are looking forward to welcoming you all.
I would now like to turn to space exploration. Japan is pursuing our future activities from low Earth orbit to space exploration, in cooperation with our international partners. Japan accelerates discussions on cooperation regarding moon exploration. Last month, Japan and the US confirmed to strengthen cooperation on the issue of space in areas including security, exploration, and industry and shared the view to accelerate discussions on cooperation regarding moon exploration in Japan-U.S. Summit Meeting.
We will introduce our space exploration activities in the new agenda item 14, and also during the technical presentation in the morning of 17th of June.
Regarding space science missions, JAXA is currently conducting the Hayabusa-2 mission In the next few weeks, JAXA is planning to conduct the second touchdown operation on an asteroid.
For further details on Hayabusa-2, we invite you to listen to our technical presentation tomorrow morning by Dr. Hitoshi Kuninaka, the former project manager of Hayabusa-2, who is now the Vice President of JAXA.
Chair, distinguished delegates,
I would now like to touch upon the activities regarding space resources. Japan considers it important to encourage all stakeholders to collaborate so that future activities can develop in a proper and pragmatic manner and in accordance with international law. Discussions should evolve in a way that reflects current technology, economic reality and needs of industry. In this respect, Japan welcomes discussions on this issue at the Legal Subcommittee and in the Hague Space Resource Governance Working Group. JAXA participates in it as an observer from this year.
Speaking of international cooperation, a successful partnership that comes to mind is the ISS. Using the ISS, Japan, in cooperation with UNOOSA, launched a program called KiboCUBE, in 2015, as a capacity-building initiative. So far, Kenya, Guatemala, Mauritius, and Indonesia were selected for the previous rounds, and Kenya had experienced the successful deployment of its first satellite last year. This Monday, JAXA and OOSA announced the selection of a team from the Republic of Moldova as the winner of the fourth round of KiboCUBE. The CubeSat developed through this programme will be Moldova’s first satellite. Currently, we are opening the fifth round of KiboCUBE. We look forward to welcoming many applications from COPUOS member states.
The Asia-Pacific Regional Space Agency Forum (APRSAF) is another example of a successful cooperation initiative. APRSAF welcomes participants from various entities from over 30 countries. This year, Japan will host the 26th session of APRSAF from November 26 to 29 in Nagoya, under the theme “Advancing Diverse Links Towards a New Space Era.
One of APRSAF activities is the creation of space community in the Asia-pacific region. APRSAF together with European Space Policy Institute (ESPI) is co-organizing a side event titled “The Inter-Regional Space Policy Dialogue between Asia-Pacific and Europe” on June 19th during lunchtime. We welcome you to the event that will be followed by a reception with delicious Japanese foods.
Lastly, I would like to offer Japan’s support for this session’s new Agenda Item 15 "Space 2030 Agenda.” My delegation is convinced of the importance of this agenda for reaffirming and strengthening the contributions of space activities and space tools to support the global development agendas. We are supportive of having the concept of global health included in the agenda and we will continue to take the lead in this discussion with our experts, including Astronaut Dr. Chiaki Mukai.
Chair, distinguished delegates,
Japan will continue its efforts in research, exploration and international cooperation for the benefit of humankind.
Thank you for your kind attention.