On Friday, representatives from the United States and Japan gathered at NASA’s headquarters in Washington to sign an agreement that builds on a long history of collaboration in space exploration between the two nations. The agreement was signed by U.S. Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken and Japan’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Hayashi Yoshimasa.
“The future of space is collaborative,” said Blinken. “Through this agreement, our nations have strengthened our partnership in space and here on Earth. We will go farther and learn even more together.” The signing of the agreement was a highlight of Prime Minister Kishida Fumio’s visit to Washington, his first since taking office in 2021.
The agreement, known as the “Framework Agreement Between the Government of Japan and the Government of the United States of America for Cooperation in Space Exploration and Use of Outer Space, Including the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies, For Peaceful Purposes,” recognizes a mutual interest in peaceful exploration and completes work from President Joe Biden’s visit to Japan in May 2022 and the September 2022 visit to Tokyo of Vice President Kamala Harris, chair of the National Space Council.
The framework covers a broad swath of joint activities between the countries, including space science, Earth science, space operations and exploration, aeronautical science and technology, space technology, space transportation, safety, and mission assurance.
NASA and the Government of Japan had previously finalized an agreement in November 2022 confirming Japan’s contributions to Gateway as part of a commitment to long-term lunar exploration cooperation with NASA under the Artemis program. Japan was also one of the original signatories of the Artemis Accords.
Strengthening the space collaboration between the U.S. and Japan is a priority for both nations. “This signing symbolizes not just the exploration of space, but also the partnership and the friendship between the United States and Japan,” said U.S. Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel. “This is a new beginning.”