Japan Press Weekly

Tweet

2021 June 9 - 15 [POLITICS]

JCP Shiokawa calls for international rulemaking, not Artemis pact, to deal with space resources

The House of Representatives, through its plenary session on June 10, passed a bill aimed at allowing private ownership of space resources by majority vote. The Japanese Communist Party voted against the bill.

JCP representative Shiokawa Tetsuya at a Lower House committee meeting on June 9 emphasized the need to formulate international rules on who can own space resources before Japan makes a new law as a signatory to the U.S.-led Artemis Accords, a political declaration outside the U.N. framework.

Shiokawa demanded that Japan work to promote international rulemaking under the leadership of the United Nations, pointing out that space resources should be the common assets of mankind.

Shiokawa asked questions about discussions on space resources at a UN subcommittee. Akahori Takeshi, deputy assistant minister of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, answered, "Some countries agree upon the use of space resources, and some disagree upon the ownership of space resources. Thus, discussions vary depending on the country."

Shiokawa said that while no rules exist internationally, introducing a domestic law before any other countries in order to allow space resources to be owned by private businesses could lead to a first-come, first-served competition.

He noted that the Japanese government is planning to promote Japan-U.S. security cooperation in space, and criticized the government for militarily pursuing a space policy integrated with the United States.

Past related article:
> Gov't will mobilize JAXA for 'space war' promotion [February 14, 2021]