[Title] JAPAN-ITALY JOINT STATEMENT ON SPACE COLLABORATION

Prime Minister TAKAICHI Sanae and President of the Council of Ministers Giorgia MELONI met in Rome on June 15th, 2026, following their last meeting in Tokyo on January 16, 2026 which had redefined the relationship between Japan and Italy as a “Special Strategic Partnership”. The two leaders reaffirmed the long-standing bonds of friendship and collaboration that unite Japan and Italy, reflected in the ongoing celebrations for the 160th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

In light of the growing impact of the space sector across the board, from scientific research to security and the space economy, the two leaders shared the view to further deepen the cooperation between Japan and Italy in this important domain, building upon existing partnerships, including between the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and the Italian Space Agency (ASI). They welcomed the results of the first bilateral space consultations, held in Tokyo on May 28th and 29th, 2026, and reaffirmed the commitment of both countries, outlined in the 2024-2027 Action Plan, to continue enhancing this collaboration, and to stimulate innovation and drive economic growth. They also welcomed that both Japan and Italy including relevant agencies and industries continue to cooperate in promoting collaboration in the space economy.

In line with the results achieved so far, the two leaders concurred on giving a particular impulse to collaboration in the following fields:

1. Government and commercial cooperation. Japan and Italy are committed to facilitating mutual access to space and promoting commercial cooperation between private sectors, as well as to the advancement of space technologies and know-how. Both countries will further explore ways to concretely support Small and Medium Enterprises and start-ups while promoting commercial partnerships between their respective space industries, including through the respective funding mechanisms.

2. Multilateral Fora. Japan and Italy participate actively in international fora such as the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS). Both countries are committed to jointly upholding the safe and stable space, emphasizing the importance of conducting space activities with transparency, cooperation, and adherence to international law. The Italian chairmanship of COPUOS in 2026-2027 and the possible convening of UNISPACE IV Conference in 2027 are significant opportunities to foster the above-mentioned common endeavours, and the respective competent authorities in Japan and Italy will work together on establishing guidelines and standards that encourage the sustainable and responsible use of outer space, ensuring its protection for generations to come.

3. Space Defence and Security. Japan and Italy recognize that space is a critical domain for national security and international stability. Both countries are committed to supporting the development of the Combined Space Operations Initiative (CSpO) and intend to strengthen cooperation on space security and defence, including space domain awareness.

4. Human spaceflight and return to the Moon. As signatories to the Artemis accords, which will see a return of humanity to the Moon in the next years, Japan and Italy will strengthen collaboration on lunar exploration. They will also enhance their collaboration in activities involving the realization of the lunar Multi-Purpose Habitation Module and the Pressurized Rover in coordination with NASA. Through their respective space agencies and industrial and research sectors, both countries will pursue joint work related to Low Earth Orbit, the International Space Station (including the CALET cosmic ray telescope) and future space stations.

5. Earth observation and disaster risk management. In the framework of the data exchange cooperation between JAXA and ASI, Japan and Italy will strengthen their collaboration in the field of Earth Observation, to improve reciprocal coverage of the multi-band imaging of the two countries and contribute to disaster risk management.

6. Solar Activity and solar physics. Japan and Italy will deepen the collaboration between their respective Agencies and Research Institutes in the field of solar physics. To improve the acquisition of high-quality data, they welcome the ongoing collaboration on the realization of the SOLAR-C mission to study the Sun and its mechanisms (plasma dynamics and solar wind), recognizing the strategic role of fundamental research and scientific excellence in enabling future space technologies and innovation ecosystems.

7. Space physics and studies of the Cosmos. Japan and Italy will continue collaborating in deep space observation to improve early detection and precise orbit determination of potentially hazardous asteroids. Through the LiteBIRD mission they will analyse the Cosmic Microwave Background and advance our knowledge on the nature of the Big Bang and the Cosmic Inflation of the Universe.

8. Space Sustainability. Japan and Italy recognize the need to promote stable and sustainable use of outer space and to protect space assets from natural and man-made hazards, including orbital debris and solar particle events, as well as strengthening planetary defense against potentially hazardous asteroids. The respective competent authorities in both countries will work together, including in relevant multilateral fora, toward the development of coordination in the field of Space Situational Awareness (SSA). Recognizing the risks posed by the growing number of space debris in orbit, Japan and Italy will strengthen cooperation, including at international fora such as the G7, on space debris mitigation and remediation. This will include the respective efforts of development of on-orbit servicing, including Active Debris Removal (ADR) and enhancing collaboration on satellite collision avoidance systems.

9. Skills development. Japan and Italy share the view that investment in research is essential for the development of advanced skills necessary to support the growth of their respective space industries. They will further explore opportunities to enhance partnerships across public and private institutions in both countries for the space sector.

10. Regional cooperation. Japan and Italy recognize the importance of cooperation in space with third countries, particularly with the Global South, including African and Southeast Asian countries. Japan and Italy will exchange information on their respective programs, such as the Italian “Piano Mattei”, including efforts made by private-sector, and will explore opportunities for complementary cooperation. Such forms of cooperation may also extend to South-East Asia, where Japan has promoted the application of peaceful uses of space activities for socio-economic development through APRSAF (Asia-Pacific Regional Space Agency Forum) more than 30 years and Italy has supported initiatives with ASEAN Secretariat.

In welcoming the results of the first bilateral space consultations and looking forward to the second bilateral space consultations in Rome in the near future, the two leaders shared the view to continue strengthening this consultation and expressed their support for regular, stronger and broader international cooperation and coordination in the space sector.