One month has passed since the 2024 Noto Peninsula Earthquake occurred. I express my deepest condolences to all those who lost their lives and my deepest sympathies to victims, their families, and all those involved.
I also express my deepest respect to those who are making efforts to help the victims and support the reconstruction of the affected areas.

At the request of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, JAXA conducted two observations using the Advanced Land Observing Satellite-2 "DAICHI-2" during the nighttime on January 1 and during the daytime on January 2, observing almost all areas in the affected region. Subsequently, at the request of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism and the Geospatial Information Authority of Japan, JAXA conducted the DAICHI-2 emergency observations from January 3 to 26 and provided the observation data.
The observed data is used by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism to understand the damage caused by landslides. In addition, the Geospatial Information Authority of Japan has published the results of analysis of crustal deformation and coastal uplift confirmed by the observation data. Furthermore, on January 5, JAXA began releasing observation data from “DAICHI-2” on its website free of charge, followed by the additional release of multiple observation data up to January 15.

In addition to “DAICHI-2,” JAXA is also monitoring the affected areas with the Global Change Observation Mission - Climate “SHIKISAI.” ”SHIKISAI“ detected fires that had broke out in the affected areas, and the detection results were used for field surveys by the National Institute for Land and Infrastructure Management and the Building Research Institute of the National Research and Development Agency of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport, and Tourism. Comparison of satellite observations with ground surveys is expected to provide a more precise picture of the overall fire situation in the affected areas.

The day after the earthquake, we also requested support from “Sentinel Asia” and the “International Charter ‘Space and Major Disasters,’” international disaster prevention frameworks, and received observation images taken by 23 earth observation satellites from each of the member countries of the frameworks. We have also provided the Cabinet Office and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism with damage information estimated from the results of those analyses.

JAXA's efforts in disaster management are aimed at contributing to the understanding of disasters, recovery, and post-disaster response, etc. through the provision of Earth observation satellite data. Thanks to close communication and cooperation on a day-to-day basis with disaster management agencies on the use of satellites for disaster management activities, I believe that we were able to conduct emergency observations using “DAICHI-2” at the time of the disaster occurrence, and provide observation data and damage information obtained from the observations. We will continue to support the activities of disaster management agencies more effectively by strengthening our observation system, including not only “DAICHI-2” but also “DAICHI-4”, which is scheduled to be launched in the future.

Once again, I would like to offer my prayers for the safety of everyone in the affected areas and for a speedy recovery.

●XRISM’s First Light /SLIM’s Moon Landing and Activities on the Moon

The X-Ray Imaging and Spectroscopy Mission (XRISM) and the Small Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM), launched by the H-IIA Launch Vehicle No. 47 last September, have been operating smoothly since the launch.
XRISM is currently undergoing a preliminary functional verification operation phase to check the functions of the entire satellite and its onboard mission equipment, etc. In the meantime, the first light images were acquired by the mission equipment and released to the public last month. Currently, XRISM continues observing various celestial objects and we will continue to operate XRISM steadily to obtain scientific results. If the preliminary functional verification goes smoothly, we will consider moving to the nominal phase by the end of this month.
As for SLIM, it successfully made a pinpoint landing on the moon as announced in a press release. After SLIM recovered power, the Multi-Band Camera (MBC) onboard SLIM was able to conduct 10-band high-resolution spectroscopic observations. In addition, we confirmed that LEV-1 and LEV-2, small probes, successfully conducted activities on the lunar surface.
For SLIM and the small probes’ lunar landing and lunar activities, I would like to express my gratitude once again to all the related domestic and international organizations, including Mitsubishi Electric Corporation, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd., MEISEI ELECTRIC CO., LTD., IHI AEROSPACE Co., Ltd., Sharp Corporation, The Furukawa Battery Co., Ltd., KOIWAI Co., Ltd., TOMY Company, Ltd., Sony Group Corporation, and university research institutes, including the University of Aizu, Ritsumeikan University, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Chuo University, Doshisha University, as well as to many people and media who have supported us. Thank you very much.

●Earth Cloud Aerosol and Radiation Explorer “EarthCARE” Unveiled (Germany)

Earth Cloud Aerosol and Radiation Explorer “EarthCARE” jointly developed by Japan and the European Space Agency (ESA), was unveiled to the press at the Airbus satellite factory in Germany on February 1.
The EarthCARE satellite is equipped with the Cloud Profiling Radar (CPR), which was developed by JAXA in cooperation with the National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT) to observe the internal structure of clouds with high sensitivity and measure the vertical speed of clouds from the satellite for the first time in the world. On the day of the public unveiling, many members of the media from Europe and Japanese resident reporters attended, and I believe that we were able to show the significance and achievements of the EarthCARE mission. The EarthCARE satellite will hereafter be transported to the Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, U.S., where the launch will take place. It is scheduled to be launched by Space X's Falcon 9 rocket in May this year.

● Furukawa's ISS On-Orbit Activities

Next, I would like to report on Astronaut Furukawa's on-orbit activities.
Astronaut Furukawa started his long-duration stay on the International Space Station at the end of August last year, and about five months have passed. Astronaut Furukawa has steadily accomplished various tasks, including the demonstration of “JEM Internal Ball Camera 2 (Int-Ball2),” the internal drone robot for future international space exploration of the Japanese Experiment Module "Kibo" and the release of two cubesats, which were developed by university and high school students, from “Kibo” in cooperation with the ground operation team. Astronaut Furukawa has also held many in-flight events
with a diverse field of people, from elementary school students to working adults, and through these events the astronaut has tried to communicate the significance and value of Kibo’s utilization and operation to people from various backgrounds.
Astronaut Furukawa's date of return to Earth will be decided after the launch of Crew-8 scheduled for mid-February, based on international coordination.

For the sustainable use of space, it is essential to address the problem of space debris left in orbit.
JAXA has been conducting the Phase I Mission of the Commercial Removal of Debris Demonstration CRD2, which aims to remove large debris for the purpose of sustainable use of space and securing Japan's international competitiveness, as a partnership-type initiative utilizing the vitality of the private sector. This programme is an attempt to contribute to the commercialization of private companies and the improvement of their international competitiveness. JAXA will provide technical support and collaboration for spacecraft development and technology demonstration based on business strategies formulated independently by private companies.
Specifically, JAXA is providing technical support in this Phase I through the provision of knowledge on rendezvous technology, as well as of rendezvous test facilities and test know-how.

Astroscale Holdings. Inc., which will conduct the Phase I Mission of the Commercial Removal of Debris Demonstration CRD2, has announced that the Active Debris Removal by Astroscale-Japan "ADRAS-J," a satellite for space debris observation, will be launched on February 18 (Japan Standard Time) by RocketLab's Electron rocket. The launch will take place at RocketLab's Launch Complex on Mahia Peninsula, New Zealand.

The technological demonstration in CRD2 is planned to be conducted in phases. In this Phase I, we will approach and control a large debris in close proximity, and acquire images that show the movement, damage, and deterioration of debris left in orbit for long periods of time, for which there is little information available worldwide. After demonstrating these key technologies necessary for debris removal, we plan to take on a challenge of the on-orbit demonstration of large debris removal in the next CRD2 Phase II Mission based on the technologies and knowledge obtained.

JAXA will continue to work together to achieve the CRD2 Phase I Mission.

The H3 Launch Vehicle Test Flight No. 2 is currently undergoing the launch pad preparation at the Tanegashima Space Center in preparation for its launch on February 15. Besides various inspections and maintenance tasks, storing the Vehicle Evaluation Payload-4 (VEP-4) and small secondary payloads in the fairing and attaching the satellite fairing to the launch vehicle, have been completed so far. Through the final functional inspection and rehearsal, we will launch the H3 Launch Vehicle.
We will continue to prepare for a reliable launch of the H3 Launch Vehicle Test Flight No.2.