Act No. 43 of May 28, 2008 Basic Space Act Table of Content Chapter I General Provisions (Articles 1 to 12) Chapter II Basic Policies (Articles 13 to 23) Chapter III Basic Plan for Outer Space (Article 24) Chapter IV Outer Space Development Strategy Headquarters (Articles 25 to 34) Chapter V Establishing Legislation concerning Outer Space Activities (Article 35) Supplementary Provisions Chapter I General Provisions
(Purpose) Article 1 The purpose of this Act is to prescribe basic principles concerning the development and use of outer space (hereinafter referred to as "outer space development and use") and basic matters necessary for realizing those principles, in order to expand Japan's role in outer space development and use, in accordance with the pacifist principles in the Constitution of Japan, and considering harmony with the environment, in view of the increasing importance of outer space development and use, due to scientific and technological advances and other changes of domestic and foreign affairs, and to clarify the national government's responsibilities and provide for the creation of a basic plan on outer space, while also comprehensively and systematically advancing policies on outer space development and use, including through establishing an Outer Space Development Strategy Headquarters, thereby serving to improve citizens' lives and develop Japan's economy and society, while also contributing to world peace and improving the welfare of humankind.
(Peaceful Use of Outer Space) Article 2 Outer space development and use is to be conducted in accordance with the provisions of treaties and other international agreements concerning outer space use and development, including the Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space, including the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies, in accordance with the pacifist principles of the Constitution of Japan.
(Improving Citizen's Lives) Article 3 Outer space development and use must be conducted in a manner that contributes to improving citizens' lives, forming a society in which citizens can live with a sense of safety and security, mitigating disasters, poverty and various other threats to human survival and livelihoods, international peace and security, and Japan's national security.
(Advancing Industry) Article 4 Outer space development and use must be conducted in a manner that strengthens the technical competence and international competitiveness of Japan's outer space industry and other Japanese industries, thereby contributing to advancing Japanese industry, by actively and systematically promoting outer space development and use, including through the smooth commercialization of research and development outcomes relating to outer space development and use.
(Developing Human Society) Article 5 Outer space development and use must be conducted in a manner that contributes to realizing the dreams of humankind about outer space and developing human society, including by promoting the advanced development and use of outer space and furthering outer space science, in view of the fact that aggregated knowledge of outer space is an intellectual asset of humankind.
(International Cooperation) Article 6 Outer space development and use must be conducted in a manner that contributes to advancing Japan's interests in the international community, while also actively fulfilling Japan's role in the international community, including by actively promoting international cooperation and diplomacy concerning outer space development and use.
(Consideration for the Environment) Article 7 Outer space development and use must be conducted considering the impact that outer space development and use has on the environment.
(National Government's Responsibilities) Article 8 The national government is responsible for formulating and implementing comprehensive policies on outer space development and use, in accordance with the basic principles with regard to outer space development and use prescribed in Article 2 through the preceding Article (hereinafter referred to as the "basic principles").
(Obligation on Local Governments to Make Efforts) Article 9 Local governments must endeavor to formulate and implement autonomous policies, in accordance with the basic principles, that leverage the special characteristics of these local government regions, with regard to outer space development and use, based on an appropriate division of roles with the national government.
(Strengthening Coordination) Article 10 The national government is to take measures necessary to strengthen ties between stakeholders including the national government, local governments, universities, and private providers in view of the fact that that cooperating while developing mutual ties can effectively promote outer space development and use.
(Legislative Measures) Article 11 The government must take legislative, fiscal, tax or financial or other measures necessary to implement policies on outer space development and use.
(Developing Administrative Organizations) Article 12 The national government is to endeavor to establish administrative organizations and improve administrative management when implementing policies on outer space development and use.
Chapter II Basic Policies
(Using Artificial Satellites to Contribute to Improving Citizens' Lives) Article 13 The national government is to take necessary measures to promote the establishment of stable information and telecommunication networks, observational information systems and information systems for positioning etc. that use artificial satellites, and take other necessary measures, in order to contribute to improving citizen's lives, forming a society in which citizens can live with a sense of safety and security, and mitigating disasters, poverty and various other threats to human survival and livelihoods.
(Ensuring Peace and Security in the International Community and Japan's National Security) Article 14 The national government is to take necessary measures to promote outer space development and use to ensure the peace and security of the international community and to contribute to Japan's national security.
(Independent Launch of Artificial Satellites) Article 15 The national government is to take necessary measures to promote research and development, including that concerning necessary hardware (including parts) and technologies, and the maintenance of equipment and facilities, to secure radio frequencies that Japan can use for outer space development and use, and other necessary measures, in view of the importance of Japan having the capability to independently develop, launch, track and operate equipment including artificial satellites.
(Promoting Outer Space Development and Use by Private Providers) Article 16 The national government is to promote private sector's outer space development and use projects (including research and development), and consider utilizing the capabilities of private providers in order to systematically procure goods and services when it undertakes projects related to Japan's outer space development and use, in order to strengthen the technical capabilities and international competitiveness of Japan's outer space and other industries, while also establishing and maintaining launch sites (meaning facilities for launching rockets), experimental research facilities, and other facilities, promoting the transfer of research and development outcomes concerning outer space development and use to private providers, promoting the commercialization of private sector's research and development outcomes concerning outer space development and use, taking tax and financial measures to facilitate investment in outer space development and use by private providers, and taking other necessary measures, in view of the importance of the role played by private providers in outer space development and use.
(Maintaining and Improving Reliability) Article 17 The national government is to take necessary measures to promote basic research, and research and development of core technology related to outer space development and use, and take other necessary measures in view of the importance of maintaining and improving the reliability of technology related to outer space development and use.
(Promoting Advanced Outer Space Development and Use) Article 18 The national government is to take necessary measures to promote advanced outer space development and use, including outer space exploration, and to promote academic research, etc., related to outer space science.
(Promoting International Cooperation) Article 19 The national government is to actively fulfill Japan's role in the international community in the field of outer space development and use, while also promoting international ties, international technical cooperation and other international cooperation concerning outer space development and use, in order to advance Japan's interests in the international community, and taking necessary measures to deepen other countries' understanding of Japan's outer space development and use.
(Preserving the Environment) Article 20 (1) The national government is to take necessary measures to promote outer space development and use that considers harmony with the environment. (2) The national government is to endeavor to secure international cooperation in order to conserve the outer space environment.
(Developing Human Resources) Article 21 The national government is to take necessary measures in order to recruit, develop, and improve the quality of human resources related to outer space development and use, in close cooperation with stakeholders including universities and private providers, in order to promote outer space development and use.
(Promoting Education and Learning) Article 22 The national government is to promote education and learning and disseminate ample public information in relation to outer space development and use, and take other measures necessary to deepen citizens' interest in and understanding of outer space development and use.
(Managing Information concerning Outer Space Development and Use) Article 23 The national government is to take necessary measures to appropriately manage information concerning outer space development and use, in view of the special characteristics of outer space development and use.
Chapter III Basic Outer Space Plan
Article 24 (1) The government must establish a basic plan for outer space development and use (hereinafter referred to as the "basic outer space plan") in order to comprehensively and systematically promote policies on outer space development and use. (2) The outer space basic plan is to prescribe the following matters: (i) basic policies on promotion of outer space development and use; (ii) policies on outer space development and use that the government should comprehensively and systematically implement; and (iii) beyond what is provided for in (i) and (ii) above, other matters necessary for the government to comprehensively and systematically promote policies on outer space development and use. (3) In principle, the specific goals of the policies prescribed in the basic outer space plan and the time frame for achieving them is to be as specified. (4) The Prime Minister is to seek a Cabinet decision on the draft basic outer space plan prepared by the Outer Space Development Strategy Headquarters. (5) When a cabinet decision under the provisions of the preceding paragraph has been made , the Prime Minister must make the basic outer space plan public, without delay, via the internet or other appropriate means. (6) The Prime Minister must assess the status of the achievement of the goals prescribed under the provisions of paragraph (3), and make the results public via the internet or other appropriate means, in a timely manner. (7) The government must review the basic outer space plan from time to time, taking into account matters including the progress of outer space development and use, and the effects of policies on outer space development and use it has implemented, and amend the basic outer space plan when it determines that it is necessary. In this case, the provisions of paragraphs (4) and (5) apply mutatis mutandis. (8) The government, each fiscal year, must endeavor to take necessary measures for the smooth implementation of the basic outer space plan, including budgetary appropriations, to the extent permitted by the national finances, in order to secure the necessary funds for the expenses required for its implementation.
Chapter IV Outer Space Development Strategy Headquarters
(Establishment) Article 25 The Outer Space Development Strategy Headquarters (hereinafter referred to as the "Headquarters") is established under the Cabinet in order to comprehensively and systematically promote policies on outer space development and use.
(Functions under the Headquarters' Jurisdiction) Article 26 The Headquarters takes charge of the following functions: (i) matters concerning establishing a draft basic outer space plan and promoting its implementation; and (ii) beyond what is set forth in the preceding item, matters concerning assessing and deliberating on plans for key policies on outer space development and use, promoting the implementation of these policies, and carrying out overall coordination.
(Organization) Article 27 The Headquarters consists of the Chief of the Outer Space Development Strategy Headquarters, the Deputy Chiefs of the Outer Space Development Strategy Headquarters, and the members of the Outer Space Development Strategy Headquarters.
(Chief of the Outer Space Development Strategy Headquarters) Article 28 (1) The Headquarters is led by the Chief of the Outer Space Development Strategy Headquarters (hereinafter referred to as the "Chief"), and the Prime Minister serves in this capacity. (2) The Chief engages in the overall management of the functions of the Headquarters and the direction and supervision of personnel at the Headquarters.
(Deputy Chiefs of the Outer Space Development Strategy Headquarters) Article 29 (1) The Headquarters has Deputy Chiefs of the Outer Space Development Strategy Headquarters (hereinafter referred to as the "Deputy Chiefs"), and the Chief Cabinet Secretary and the Minister of State for Outer Space Development (meaning a minister of state whose duty is to assist the Prime Minister concerning outer space development and use, as ordered by the Prime Minister) serve in this capacity. (2) The Deputy Chiefs assist with the Chief's duties.
(Members of the Outer Space Development Strategy Headquarters) Article 30 (1) The Headquarters has Outer Space Development Strategy Headquarters members (hereinafter referred to as the "members"). (2) All ministers of state other than the Chief and the Deputy Chiefs serve as members.
(Submission of Materials and Other Cooperation) Article 31 (1) The Headquarters may request that materials be submitted, opinions be presented, explanations be given, or any other necessary cooperation be provided, by the heads of relevant administrative organs, local governments and incorporated administrative agencies (meaning incorporated administrative agencies as provided for in Article 2, paragraph (1) of the Act on General Rules for Incorporated Administrative Agencies (Act No. 103 of 1999)); and the representatives of special corporations (meaning corporations directly incorporated by law or incorporated by a special law through a special incorporation act that is subject to Article 4, paragraph (1), item (ix) of the Act for Establishment of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (Act No. 91 of 1999)), if the Headquarters considers it necessary in order to fulfill the functions under its jurisdiction, (2) The Headquarters may request necessary cooperation from a person other than the persons prescribed in the preceding paragraph, if it finds it particularly necessary to do so in order to fulfill the functions under its jurisdiction.
(Functions) Article 32 The Headquarters' functions are handled by the Cabinet Office.
(Competent Minister) Article 33 The Prime Minister is the competent minister provided for by the Cabinet Act (Act No. 5 of 1947) in relation to matters concerning the Headquarters.
(Delegation to Cabinet Order) Article 34 Beyond what is provided for in this Act, any necessary particulars relating to the Headquarters are specified by Cabinet Order.
Chapter V Establishing Legislation concerning Outer Space Activities
Article 35 (1) The government must comprehensively, systematically and promptly implement the establishment of regulations relating to outer space activities, and legislation concerning matters including those necessary to implement other treaties and other international agreements concerning outer space development and use. (2) The establishment of legislation referred to in the preceding paragraph is to be carried out in order to contribute to advancing Japan's interests in the international community and furthering the private sector's outer space development and use.
Supplementary Provisions
(Effective Date) Article 1 This Act comes into effect as of the day specified by Cabinet Order within a period not exceeding three months from the date of its promulgation.
(Establishing Legislation to have the Cabinet Office deal with functions concerning Headquarters) Article 2 The government is to establish the legislation and other measures necessary to have the Cabinet Office deal with functions concerning Headquarters within approximately one year after this Act comes into effect.
(Review of Incorporated Administrative Agencies including the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) Article 3 The government is to review the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency and other agencies concerned with outer space development and use, including consideration of their purposes, functions, operational scope, organizational structure, and of the administrative organs with jurisdiction over them, within approximately one year after this Act comes into effect.
(Review of Administrative Organizations tasked with Promoting Policies on Outer Space Development and Use in a Comprehensive and Integrated Manner) Article 4 The government is also to review the administrative organizations tasked with promoting policies on outer space development and use in a comprehensive and integrated manner, and take necessary measures based on the findings of the review.
Supplementary Provisions
(Effective Date) Article 1 This Act comes into effect as of April 1, 2016; provided, however, that the provisions set forth in the following item come into effect as of the date specified in that item: (i) the provisions of Article 7 of the Supplementary Provisions: the date of promulgation.
(Delegation to Cabinet Order) Article 7 Beyond what is provided for in Article 2 through the preceding Article of the Supplementary Provisions, any necessary transitional measures for the enforcement of this Act are specified by Cabinet Order.
Supplementary Provisions
(Effective Date) Article 1 This Act comes into effect as of September 1, 2021.