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Joint Statement on Space Debris by the Government of Japan and
the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA)

February 7, 2020
Joint Statement on Space Debris by the Government of Japan and the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA)

1. In recent years, outer space has become congested due to the diversified use of outer space and an increasing number of countries using space. In addition, increase of space debris caused by Anti-Satellite (ASAT) tests and collisions of satellites has posed a growing risk to the sustainable and stable use of outer space.

2. Against this backdrop, on the 6th of February, H.E. Mr. HIKIHARA Takeshi, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Permanent Representative of Japan to the International Organizations in Vienna, and Ms. Simonetta Di Pippo, Director of the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) have signed a “Joint Statement on Space Debris by the Government of Japan and the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs” (English (PDF)Open a New Window / Japanese (PDF)Open a New Window) during the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space United Nations (COPUOS) 57th Scientific and Technical Subcommittee. Furthermore, the Government of Japan hosted a side event on space debris as an opportunity to invite all 95 member states for a seminar and a reception along with the signing ceremony of the Joint Statement.

3. In the signing ceremony, Ambassador HIKIHARA stated the importance of raising global awareness with regard to the challenges of space debris mitigation and high hopes for the upcoming cooperation with the UNOOSA.

4. The purpose of this statement is to jointly declare the wish to promote the increased understanding and the consolidation of knowledge of space debris and to support the implementation of existing guidelines, following up on the adoption Guidelines for the Long-term Sustainability of Outer Space Activities in last June.

5. The Government of Japan will continue to lead international initiatives concerning space debris through cooperation with various international partners.

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