[Title] Committee of the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space Legal Subcommittee 64th Session

Committee of the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space
Legal Subcommittee 64th Session
May 5 – 16, 2025
Japan Item 3: General exchange of views.

Chair, Distinguished Delegates,

Japan looks forward to collaborating with Member States and supporting your leadership, Chair, to ensure a productive and meaningful session.

Chair,

To ensure the safety, security, sustainability and stability of outer space

activities, new technologies are essential. However, progress is hindered by the lack of international norms that facilitate these emerging technologies. The current legal framework has gaps that need to be filled to accommodate the rapid advancements in space technology. While legally binding agreements may be difficult to reach today, Japan believes that certain international norms and guidelines are essential to effectively and transparently make best use of new technologies.

As Japan works to fill these gaps, it is also crucial that new rules and regulations promote the use, implementation, operation, and commercialization of technologies designed to solve space debris issues, in a manner that does not impede progress.

Japan has already taken steps to lay the groundwork for the establishment of such norms at the national level. In 2021, the Government of Japan developed the Space Resources Act and guidelines for licensing on- orbit serving with those principles in mind. Earlier this year, in February, Japan enacted new guidelines on collision avoidance. We encourage other countries to establish similar guidelines to ensure that space activities are conducted in a safe and sustainable manner, while advancing innovation.

Chair,

The universalization of international norms is a shared responsibility.

It requires cooperation, trust, and collective action by all Member States. Japan is committed to this journey through capacity building initiatives and Technical Advisory Missions such as the "Space Law for New Space Actors" program. Therein, Japan supports emerging spacefaring nations in crafting their own space laws and policies. Likewise, the National Space Legislation Initiative (NSLI) under the Asia-Pacific Regional Space Agency Forum (APRSAF) continues to foster regional cooperation and enhance capacity since 2019, helping Asia-Pacific countries draft and implement their national space legislation and/or policies in line with international norms.

Upholding the rule of law in outer space is not optional. It is crucial that all Member States act in accordance with international law to ensure that the exploration and utilization of space is done in a safe and sustainable manner. Full compliance with existing legal frameworks, especially the Outer Space Treaty, is a duty that the international community shares.

Last December, Japan, together with the United States and Argentina, submitted a resolution to the UN General Assembly reaffirming the obligation of all States parties to fully comply with the Outer Space Treaty. Its adoption by an overwhelming majority reflects a strong global consensus that outer space must remain free of nuclear weapons. The rule of law in outer space is the bedrock of ensuring peace in space.

Chair,

The formation of international norms and capacity building, as well as

upholding the rule of law in outer space requires cooperation among Member States. The role of COPUOS and UNOOSA is pivotal in this regard. Japan is grateful for the leadership and dedication of the chairperson and the Director in guiding this effort.

Before I conclude, allow me to underline one final point: Japan urgently needs international norms for space debris remediation. As a leading country in outer space activities, Japan is advancing research and development on remediation technology and is ready to lead in shaping international norms for remediation by sharing the knowledge it has gained and by fostering collaboration.

Thank you for your kind attention.