COPUOS科技小委第59会期：議題4「一般発言」ステートメント（日本代表団長）
令和4年2月7日
Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space
Scientific and Technical Subcommittee 59th Session
Japan, Agenda Item 4– “General Exchange of Views”
Mr. Chair, Distinguished Delegates,
The Japanese delegation is confident that we will have a highly successful session under your leadership, and we look forward to working with you. We commend the Director of the Office for Outer Space Affairs, the Secretariat, and the entire office for their exceptional work.
In recent years, the number of players in the space sector including space agencies, academia, and industry 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, security, sustainability, and stability of outer space and we look forward to playing an active role on this issue. In this respect, we acknowledge the importance of implementing the LTS guidelines and look forward to developing the terms of references, methods of work, and work plan during this session to further advance this important work.
Mr. Chair,
I would like to take this opportunity to report on recent developments in our space activities. Since the last subcommittee, Japan has conducted five launches. In the area of human spaceflight, Japanese astronaut HOSHIDE Akihiko completed a long duration mission aboard the International Space Station as the ISS commander from April to November of last year. During his mission, Astronaut HOSHIDE conducted numerous experiments including for medical science, joint experiments with private companies on plant cultivation for lunar exploration, and lectures for Asian students.
Regarding space exploration, Japan updated its Basic Plan on Space Policy in June 2020, recognizing the importance of the space domain as a frontier for cutting edge science and technology, and also as a driving force for economic growth. Japan will leverage its expertise to take part in global space exploration efforts, and will also bring in capabilities from various industry sectors. In October 2020, Japan signed the Artemis Accords as a political commitment to establish an internationally shared framework on various principles for civil space exploration activities and the use of outer space by national space agencies. Also, in December 2021, Japan updated its Implementation Plan of the Basic Plan on Space Policy, aiming to land a Japanese astronaut on the moon in the late 2020s.
In the field of lunar exploration, Japan is participating in the lunar Gateway” as part of the Artemis Program by leveraging the knowledge and technology acquired from the ISS program and space science missions. In the Japanese fiscal year 2022, JAXA plans to launch the Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM), which is designed to demonstrate pinpoint landing capability on the lunar surface. JAXA is also developing the Lunar Polar Exploration mission (LUPEX) in collaboration with ISRO, which aims to investigate the presence of water and the possibilities for resource utilization in the lunar polar region.
Beyond lunar exploration, Japan is conducting the development of Martian Moons eXploration (MMX), targeting its launch in the Japanese fiscal year 2024. Through this mission, JAXA plans to explore the two Martian Moons and collect a sample from one of the Moons called Phobos to bring back to Earth.
Mr. Chair,
Japan has also been promoting regional space cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region. Countries in this region have been expanding their space activities, and as a result, there is growing interest in space policy and law within the region. In response, Japan has been actively taking part in community-building related to space policy and law in the region. Last May, Japan announced its new cooperation with UNOOSA on the “Space Law for New Space Actors” project to support the capacity building in Asia-Pacific countries for drafting their national space legislation and policy as well as raising awareness of existing normative frameworks. Based on this idea, Japan held a workshop together with UNOOSA with the participation of five countries namely Bhutan, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, and the Viet Nam last month. Through its cooperation with UNOOSA, Japan looks forward to supporting new space actors in the region in advancing the rule of law in space.
I will end my statement by reiterating that Japan will continue to promote the peaceful exploration and use of outer space in close cooperation with COPUOS.
Thank you for your kind attention.
Scientific and Technical Subcommittee 59th Session
Japan, Agenda Item 4– “General Exchange of Views”
Mr. Chair, Distinguished Delegates,
The Japanese delegation is confident that we will have a highly successful session under your leadership, and we look forward to working with you. We commend the Director of the Office for Outer Space Affairs, the Secretariat, and the entire office for their exceptional work.
In recent years, the number of players in the space sector including space agencies, academia, and industry 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, security, sustainability, and stability of outer space and we look forward to playing an active role on this issue. In this respect, we acknowledge the importance of implementing the LTS guidelines and look forward to developing the terms of references, methods of work, and work plan during this session to further advance this important work.
Mr. Chair,
I would like to take this opportunity to report on recent developments in our space activities. Since the last subcommittee, Japan has conducted five launches. In the area of human spaceflight, Japanese astronaut HOSHIDE Akihiko completed a long duration mission aboard the International Space Station as the ISS commander from April to November of last year. During his mission, Astronaut HOSHIDE conducted numerous experiments including for medical science, joint experiments with private companies on plant cultivation for lunar exploration, and lectures for Asian students.
Regarding space exploration, Japan updated its Basic Plan on Space Policy in June 2020, recognizing the importance of the space domain as a frontier for cutting edge science and technology, and also as a driving force for economic growth. Japan will leverage its expertise to take part in global space exploration efforts, and will also bring in capabilities from various industry sectors. In October 2020, Japan signed the Artemis Accords as a political commitment to establish an internationally shared framework on various principles for civil space exploration activities and the use of outer space by national space agencies. Also, in December 2021, Japan updated its Implementation Plan of the Basic Plan on Space Policy, aiming to land a Japanese astronaut on the moon in the late 2020s.
In the field of lunar exploration, Japan is participating in the lunar Gateway” as part of the Artemis Program by leveraging the knowledge and technology acquired from the ISS program and space science missions. In the Japanese fiscal year 2022, JAXA plans to launch the Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM), which is designed to demonstrate pinpoint landing capability on the lunar surface. JAXA is also developing the Lunar Polar Exploration mission (LUPEX) in collaboration with ISRO, which aims to investigate the presence of water and the possibilities for resource utilization in the lunar polar region.
Beyond lunar exploration, Japan is conducting the development of Martian Moons eXploration (MMX), targeting its launch in the Japanese fiscal year 2024. Through this mission, JAXA plans to explore the two Martian Moons and collect a sample from one of the Moons called Phobos to bring back to Earth.
Mr. Chair,
Japan has also been promoting regional space cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region. Countries in this region have been expanding their space activities, and as a result, there is growing interest in space policy and law within the region. In response, Japan has been actively taking part in community-building related to space policy and law in the region. Last May, Japan announced its new cooperation with UNOOSA on the “Space Law for New Space Actors” project to support the capacity building in Asia-Pacific countries for drafting their national space legislation and policy as well as raising awareness of existing normative frameworks. Based on this idea, Japan held a workshop together with UNOOSA with the participation of five countries namely Bhutan, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, and the Viet Nam last month. Through its cooperation with UNOOSA, Japan looks forward to supporting new space actors in the region in advancing the rule of law in space.
I will end my statement by reiterating that Japan will continue to promote the peaceful exploration and use of outer space in close cooperation with COPUOS.
Thank you for your kind attention.