Research Center of International Space Law and Comparative Law (SU)

Center Director: Kinji Akashi (Professor, Faculty of Law)

Campus: Mita

The main research objectives of this center are as follows: (1) to address various issues related to space activities through examination from a legal perspective; (2) to improve the level of space law research in Japan; (3) to contribute to the training of practitioners and researchers in the field of space law; and (4) to contribute to capacity building in the field of space law in Asia.

Space law, United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space, law on space activities, comparative law, space systems

■ Activities Continuing from the Previous Fiscal Year: Background, Rationale, and Goals

Regarding the five study groups, the "Space Debris Study Group" and the "Study Group on the Legal System for Space Passenger Transportation" are scheduled to conclude in fiscal year 2014. However, the publication of the English-language report on space debris is expected to be delayed until mid-fiscal year 2015. The other study groups will continue into the next fiscal year. The GNSS Study Group will conclude its activities in fiscal year 2015. If its abstracts are accepted, the group plans to make two oral presentations at the International Institute of Space Law (IISL) colloquium in Israel in mid-October 2015 and will report its findings by publishing two papers in the *IISL Proceedings 2015* in September 2016. The "Study Group on Government Procurement (WTO, Government Procurement, etc.)" will examine space trade in the TPP era. The "Study Group on Legal Policy for Promoting the Space Industry" will consider measures to maintain and strengthen the space industry infrastructure from the perspective of system exports, in line with the 3rd Basic Plan on Space Policy announced in January 2015.

■ New Activity Goals, Content, and Implementation Background for Fiscal Year 2015

A new two-year joint research project on "Remote Sensing Data Policy" will be launched starting in fiscal year 2015. The distribution and sale of data and information from remote sensing satellites involve both space and terrestrial laws—including those related to space business, national security, export control, and intellectual property—making it difficult to establish a comprehensive and appropriate policy. This project will examine the issue from the perspective of space law (both public and private).

■ Implementation Details, Research Outcomes, and Achievements Relative to the Fiscal Year Business Plan

Five joint research projects were advanced according to the implementation plan. The "Space Debris Study Group," which aims to report its findings in English, examined international legal issues concerning the establishment of a space debris removal system this fiscal year, and members are currently drafting their manuscripts. The "Study Group on Legal Policy for Promoting the Space Industry" examined intellectual property, compliance, and European business models, and will conduct a research trip to the UK and other locations at the end of the fiscal year. The "Study Group on the Legal System for Space Passenger Transportation" further explored the intersection of aviation law and space law to inform the creation of business models for space tourism legal systems. The "Study Group on Government Procurement (WTO, Government Procurement, etc.)" researched the future of the US-Japan satellite procurement agreement from the perspective of maintaining and improving Japan's space industry infrastructure. In the "GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) Study Group," all members collaborated on an article focusing on the liability system, with each writing on their area of expertise, for submission to a journal of civil and commercial law. The submission is scheduled for the end of March.

Additionally, two abstracts for papers on the theme of GNSS were submitted to the International Institute of Space Law (IISL) colloquium to be held in Israel next fiscal year. A decision on their acceptance will be made by June of the next fiscal year.

Furthermore, two international symposiums were held at the Mita Campus: one in September 2014 on "International Cooperation in Space Exploration" and another in January 2015 on "National Space Law." The former was attended by approximately 100 people, and the latter by approximately 150.

By clarifying the diverse legal issues associated with space activities (including commercial use) and deepening the understanding of the national legal systems of countries engaged in space activities, the center was able to begin a detailed examination of the specific content required for Japan's future legislation on space activities.