Based on the results of the investigation into the misconduct identified as not conforming to the Ethical Guidelines for Medical and Health Research Involving Human Subjects, I, as the head of the research institute, take my responsibility for causing this situation seriously, and as of January 10, I took disciplinary action against myself and the directors and employees involved. On the same day, I instructed all directors and employees to comply with the Code of Conduct and perform their duties with the highest ethical standards.

I would like to express my deepest apologies once again for the serious situation caused by JAXA's fault and the inconvenience it has caused to researchers of companies and universities that are JAXA’s joint research organizations, as well as for the loss of trust of many people, including the research subjects who cooperate with JAXA’s research and the outside experts who provide us with advice.
I take your stringent remarks and opinions to heart, and we will do our utmost to prevent a recurrence as an organization.

I would like to add that the joint research organizations have reported that there were no inappropriate acts that violate the medical guidelines in the researches conducted by each organization.

As we announced during the briefing on December 20 last year, based on the comprehensive assessment of the Captive Firing Test (CFT), LE-9 engine qualification firing test, and reflection of analysis resultsfrom Epsilon 6, we have determined that the development for the launch of the H3 Launch Vehicle Flight No.1 is largely complete. Although the launch of H3 Launch Vehicle Flight No.1 was postponed by one day due to the launch delay of H-IIA Launch Vehicle No. 46 yesterday, we set February 13 as the scheduled launch date by coordinating with related organizations and are proceeding with preparations for the launch, including SRB-3 VOS (Vehicle On Stand) operations and the launch vehicle functional checks.

The ALOS-3 is undergoing final launch preparations at the Tanegashima Space Center, and will be delivered to the launch vehicle to be mated with it.

We will continue to steadfastly prepare for the launch of the first H3 Launch Vehicle Flight No.1 carrying the ALOS-3.

Astronaut Wakata Koichi has been on a long-duration mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS) since last October. As of today (January 27), he has stayed in space for more than 461 days as a running total, continuing to break the record for a Japanese in space.
During the night of January 20 (Fri) through early morning of the following January 21 (Sat), Astronaut Wakata, together with U.S. NASA astronaut Nicole Mann, conducted an extravehicular activity (EVA) to install a base structure for the ISS Roll-Out Solar Array (IROSA).
This was Astronaut Wakata's first EVA, and I am very proud that he fully demonstrated his skills acquired from trainings and contributed to supplementing the existing solar array, which has been operated beyond its 15-year design life. I also admire his boldly taking on new challenges in his fifth spaceflight.
Based on the results of the latest EVA, we have been informed that a second EVA by Astronaut Wakata and U.S. NASA Astronaut Nicole Mann is currently being considered in order to further proceed with the work. It will be informed you when the second EVA by Astronaut Wakata is scheduled.

Next, I would like to introduce space experiments. With regard to recent activities, three CubeSats, including the first CubeSat developed by Surya University from the Republic of Indonesia, were successfully deployed from the Japanese Experiment Module "Kibo" on January 11. These CubeSats were selected as the winner in the third round of “KiboCUBE” programme run by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA).

In addition, as a technological development that could lead to lunar and Mars exploration, we conducted an experiment to investigate the movement of liquids in a low-gravity environment. The acquired data will be used to develop equipment for future explorations of the Moon and Mars, including the design of a manned pressurized rover.
Furthermore, on January 17, Astronaut Wakata conducted simple space experiments for young people (Asian Try Zero-G 2022). There were 480 applicants from eight countries and regions, with 201 applications, and the experiments with six experimental themes that had passed the initial selection process in each region were conducted. I hope that all the students and young engineers who participated in the experiments will make the most of this valuable experience and play an even more active role.
For details of various space experiments conducted by Astronaut Wakata using the Japanese Experiment Module "Kibo," please refer to the “Astronaut Wakata On-orbit Activity Report” on our special website.

I hope that Astronaut Wakata will continue to steadfastly carry out his mission during the remainder of his stay in space.

On January 13, in the presence of Prime Minister Kishida, Foreign Minister Hayashi and U.S. Secretary of State Blinken signed the “Framework Agreement between Japan and the United States of America for Cooperation in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space” at NASA Headquarters in Washington, D.C. I and Astronaut Hoshide also had the opportunity to witness this signing ceremony.

This agreement is of great importance to JAXA because it sets forth the basic terms and conditions for Japan-U.S. space cooperation for peaceful purposes as well as enables to promote space cooperation and increase efficiency for it between Japan and the U.S.
Until now, bilateral space cooperation between Japan and the U.S. has, in principle, been based on international agreements between the governments of the two countries for each individual cooperation, under which JAXA, as the implementing agency for the cooperation, has exchanged memorandums with the U.S. implementing agencies such as NASA, etc.
Going forward, implementing arrangements between agencies can be exchanged according to the basic terms of this agreement. I expect that this agreement will further expand the field of cooperation between Japan and the U.S., including the Artemis Program.

In order for Japan to have a presence in international cooperation, we must also promote cooperation within Japan.

I have mentioned on occasion that the Space Exploration Innovation Hub Center, defying the boundaries of the space field, has collaborated with business fields and industries that have not been associated with the space field.

Since 2015, JAXA has been continuing to conduct joint researches and Request For Proposal (RFP) with the participation by various companies, research institutions, and universities. We conducted the 9th RFP from September to November last year for the current fiscal year. The latest RFP was conducted with an eye on areas that will be needed in the future. Specifically, we are focusing on technologies to support astronauts' lunar surface activities and scientific exploration on the Moon in line with the development in the Artemis Project.

Past joint research efforts have led to tangible results, such as the installation of the highly-sensitive Flash LIDAR, which instantly takes 3D images, on the new H-II Transfer Vehicle (HTV-X), and a sensor that measures extremely small quantities of water on the lunar surface, which is scheduled to be installed on the rover for the Lunar Polar Exploration (LUPEX) mission. In addition, we plan to run the Lunar Excursion Vehicle 2（LEV-2）on the Moon to obtain data necessary for the development of a manned pressurized rover around the end of April 2023.

We have selected 15 out of 32 applications for the latest RFP, which we announced today. Major examples of the selected technologies include: technology that enables a spacecraft to move around the lunar surface while predicting its own optimal path, and technology that can regenerate water and air necessary for astronauts to stay in space for long periods of time. Please refer to the JAXA website for details.

We plan to continue to conduct RFP as frequently as twice a year.
We will continue our co-creation system with all of Japan's resources, and in addition to helping contribute to Japanese industry, we will also enhance Japan's presence outside the country.