Space Business and Commercial Law

2019/08/07

"Would you like to try space law?" About ten years ago, shortly after I obtained a university position as a researcher in commercial law, I received an invitation from Professor Souichirou Kozuka of Gakushuin University. For a long time, space activities were primarily state-led, and "space law" referred to a field of international law. As private entities began to enter space activities, experts in commercial law (business law) became involved in space law. Professor Kozuka is a leading figure in "Space Business Law." Since I had been researching transport transaction law involving trucks and ships, it seems I was approached because the activity of transporting satellites into outer space was seen as an extension of that field. Since then, I have continued my research on legal issues related to space business (space travel, launch services, private spaceport operations, etc.).

Recently, I traveled to Wellington, New Zealand, to conduct research on the New Zealand Outer Space and High-altitude Activities Act. New Zealand is a symbolic country where commercial space activities took place even before state-led ones. The Outer Space and High-altitude Activities Act includes mechanisms to support space business, such as reducing the time and cost of applications, and it served as an excellent reference for the role legal systems play in promoting the space industry.

In recent years, Japan has also seen a series of positive news regarding the commercialization of space, such as the enactment of the Space Activities Act, the successful launch of seven satellites by Epsilon-4, and the successful launch of the suborbital rocket MOMO-3 by Interstellar Technologies. As a citizen living in this era, I feel immense joy in witnessing the development of a new industry in real time. Furthermore, as a legal scholar, I feel a sense of mission to continue responding to the legal challenges that arise in contemporary society. Fortunately, the era we live in is experiencing technological progress that allows for the transport of people and goods into outer space. We benefit from various services using satellites (GNSS, remote sensing, satellite communications). Commercialization is an essential step for the further advancement of space science and technology. The lack of exhaustive legal discussion must not be allowed to hinder the development of new industries. I intend to continue my research while remaining constantly mindful of this responsibility.