On January 20, we reported to the Space Development and Utilization Subcommittee of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) on the status of the investigation into the 8th H3 Launch Vehicle failure. We will continue working closely with both launch vehicle and satellite stakeholders to fully understand and clarify the sequence of events and the underlying causes, based on the data obtained and other relevant information, while considering all possible factors.

In December, the RApid Innovative payload demonstration SatellitE-4 (RAISE-4), carrying eight payloads for on-orbit demonstration themes, was launched from New Zealand aboard Rocket Lab Corporation’s Electron launch vehicle. These payloads were chosen from among those proposed through an open call for the Innovation Satellite Technology Demonstration-4, the fourth demonstration mission in the Innovative Satellite Technology Demonstration Program. RAISE-4 is currently undergoing its initial functional verification operation phase. The Innovation Satellite Technology Demonstration-4 comprises RAISE-4 and eight CubeSats, which were also proposed through the open call. We are currently making step-by-step preparations for their launch aboard Electron, working closely with the respective institutions or companies that proposed each CubeSat. The launch schedule will be announced once it is finalized.

After completing their long-duration stay aboard the International Space Station (ISS), four crew members, including JAXA Astronaut YUI Kimiya, boarded the Crew Dragon spacecraft (Crew-11) and safely returned to Earth on January 15, earlier than originally planned. Despite the accelerated return, they supported one another and worked together to overcome challenges during their stay on the ISS, which not only contributed to ISS operations but also, we believe, demonstrated a strong bond in support of future space exploration. We extend our sincere appreciation to all those who responded promptly in this spirit of cooperation and mutual support, as well as to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and other ISS international partners, relevant domestic organizations, and the people of Japan.
We have been informed that Astronaut Yui is currently undergoing post-flight rehabilitation at NASA’s Johnson Space Center, and that his recovery is progressing well. In addition, JAXA announced on January 9 that, following Astronaut Yui, JAXA Astronaut SUWA Makoto was selected for a long-duration stay aboard the ISS around 2027.
Although this will be his first spaceflight, we believe that he will carry forward the achievements of Japan’s space programs and fulfill his role by building on the human spaceflight technologies that Japan has cultivated through experiments in the Japanese experiment module Kibo and through ISS operations.
JAXA will continue to make the best use of Kibo and the ISS to generate maximum value from the knowledge and experience gained, working closely with the government, relevant ministries, and related companies. We will also advance technological demonstrations of systems that contribute to international space exploration, including the Crewed Pressurized Rover while strengthening international cooperation and expanding partnerships with private-sector organizations.

A few months back—over a four-day period from November 18 to 21 last year—the 31st Session of the Asia-Pacific Regional Space Agency Forum (APRSAF-31) was held in the Philippines, co-organized by the Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA), Japan’s Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), and JAXA. More than 500 people from 40 countries and regions attended the forum and engaged in active discussions under the theme, “Empowering the Region through Space Ecosystems in Action.” APRSAF has also begun new initiatives as part of its creative efforts, with a view to expanding and diversifying its activities.
Among these initiatives is the launch of a new working group under the theme of developing space human resources that contribute to the resolution of global challenges and issues in developing countries—an initiative aligned with the efforts being undertaken by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), an external organization. One significant achievement of APRSAF-31 was the participation of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. of the Republic of the Philippines. It marked the first visit by a Head of State in APRSAF’s public records, and his participation provided an opportunity for the importance of APRSAF to be widely disseminated through live broadcasts by the Philippines’ state media and other channels. In his speech, President Marcos made remarks such as “Space technology is no longer a concept that only scientists and engineers appreciate—it is now woven into our everyday life” and “For over three decades, you (APRSAF) have stood as one of the region’s most significant platforms for cooperation in space,” which once again made me keenly aware of the crucial role that APRSAF plays in the Asia-Pacific region, including the Philippines.
The next APRSAF is scheduled to be held in October 2026 in Bangkok, Thailand. The following year, the forum will move to Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan, making it the first APRSAF in the country in eight years.
Building on the achievements of APRSAF-31, JAXA will continue its efforts to strengthen space cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region, and to contribute to the advancement of sustainable space activities.

Lastly, I would like to introduce the outcomes of our research on the observational data from the Earth Cloud Aerosol and Radiation Explorer (EarthCARE) satellite, also known as Hakuryu, which transitioned into nominal operations about a year ago.
The EarthCARE satellite carries the Cloud Profiling Radar (CPR), co-developed by JAXA and the National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT). One feature of CPR is that it enables the first-ever global-scale observation of the updraft and downdraft velocities of cloud particles moving within clouds.
By comparing this observational data from CPR with numerical simulation data generated by the Nonhydrostatic Icosahedral Atmospheric Model (NICAM), developed mainly by The University of Tokyo, and analyzing the results, research was conducted as a trilateral joint project. The project, led by the Atmosphere and Ocean Research Institute at The University of Tokyo in collaboration with the Research Institute for Applied Mechanics at Kyushu University and JAXA, aimed to elucidate the mechanisms governing vertical motion in clouds and the atmosphere. Evaluation through the use of the observational data has provided insights that help improve the accuracy of the model. The research results were compiled into a paper and published in Scientific Reports, a Nature Portfolio scientific journal. For an outline of the paper, please refer to the press release dated January 20.
In addition to CPR, the EarthCARE satellite carries three sensors developed by the European Space Agency (ESA). The combination of these four sensors onboard the satellite enables the delivery of integrated observational data. We will continue to provide observational data and other forms of support, thereby contributing to the enhanced accuracy of future climate change projections and to related mitigation efforts.