From low Earth orbit to the moon and beyond, Japan is one of NASA’s most important international partners.
UPDATE – 10:32 AM, SAT – 1/14/23
Washington: NASA and Japan have signed an agreement that builds on their longstanding cooperation in space exploration.
From low Earth orbit to the moon and beyond, Japan is one of NASA’s most important international partners.
“This latest framework agreement will allow us to further collaborate across our agency’s broad portfolio in exploration, science and research,” NASA Administrator Bill Nelson said late Friday.
U.S. Secretary of State Anthony J. Blinken and Japanese Foreign Minister Lingichi are here at NASA headquarters to sign the agreement.
“The future of space is collaborative. With this agreement, our two countries strengthen our partnership in space and on Earth. We will go further and learn more together,” Blinken said.
The signing is a highlight of Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s visit to Washington, his first since taking office in 2021.
Kishida said: “I expect this agreement to greatly promote Japan-US space cooperation and expand the cooperation areas of the Japan-US alliance, which is stronger than ever before.”
The agreement recognizes the mutual interest in peaceful exploration.
The framework covers a wide range of joint activities between the two countries, including space science, earth science, space operations and exploration, aeronautical science and technology, space technology, space transportation, safety and mission assurance, and more.
“I hope Japan-U.S. space cooperation can be further deepened on the basis of this agreement, because it will benefit the future of mankind,” Yoshimasa said.
