Japan: development in space programmes
Published 23 July 2014
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0.1 Detail
Japan views space as a priority – a driver for growth and a foundation of security. Spending close to £2billion (JP government expenditure - FY2014) on space development, the country’s portfolio includes multiple launch vehicles, astronauts (recently also as Captain of the ISS) and industry capable of developing high-end satellites. There is growing dependence on satellites for business and defence. Japan is looking increasingly towards the US and Europe for cooperation, development of a resilient space strategy and customers for its new satellite launch capabilities.
Space Policy and Space Security
Japan is currently developing its own National Space Security Strategy (NSSS), in line with the US’s NSSS. It is likely to include the provision of space surveillance for detection of space debris and for monitoring maritime activity in the region. Japan’s space security budget is also set to increase.
Space policymaking is being centralised, with the creation of a “Japan Space Agency” a possibility. Japan is moving closer to the UK’s position of seeing space security as fundamental to economic growth and recognises the importance of working with international partners.
In security policy terms, Japan sees space as part of the ‘global commons’ – alongside maritime and cyberspace. The deepening of UK-Japan cooperation in these areas was declared in the Foreign Secretary’s Strategic Dialogue (October 2013) and the UK-Japan PM Joint Statement (May 2014).
There is an opportunity to develop our space links. HMG’s recently published Space Security Policy is very similar to Japan’s approach. We should also build on the Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) between the UKSA/FCO and Japanese MFA/Strategic Headquarters for Space Policy (Cabinet Secretariat) signed in April 2012. In it, we agreed to set up a steering committee to discuss space issues.
Commercial and Research Opportunities
The Japanese space industry is worth around £460 million annually and includes equipment, services, navigation systems and communication & broadcasting. UK commercial opportunities are as yet under-developed. Domestic tier 1 vendors and trading companies have a stronghold on most major space-related projects. However, UK strengths are recognised in areas such as processing of satellite data (including radar). The market for small satellites looks promising: Surrey University spin-out, Surrey Satellites Technology Limited (SSTL) is active in Japan and there is potential interest for NovaSAR.
Opportunities also exist to further intensify UK-Japan research cooperation – especially in the field of satellite applications. Japanese research/commercial entities have strengths in hardware (i.e. satellites, launchers), but recognise the UK’s greater expertise in processing and applications for imagery/data collected.
The Asia-Pacific Regional Space Agency Forum (APRSAF), a regional meeting of space agencies, research organisations and universities, would be a good first step to developing these opportunities. This year’s meeting will be hosted by Japan on 2-5 December.
0.2 Comment
As Japan’s space policy picks up momentum, we need to ensure we have the right mechanisms in place to capitalise on the opportunities.
0.3 Disclaimer
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