Press Release

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Signing of Joint Statement
between Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)
and Agenzia Spaziale Italiana (ASI)

November 16, 2004 (JST)

Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)

Dr. Tachikawa, the President of Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), and Prof. Vetrella, Agenzia Spaziale Italiana (ASI), have signed the JAXA/ASI Joint Statement on November 16, 2004, at the Embassy of Italy in Tokyo, for promoting the mutual cooperation between both agencies.


JAXA has explored in discussions with ASI, through high-level meetings in Europe and in Japan, the possibility for mutual cooperation between both agencies. Those exchanges of views have identified mutual interests in the cooperation in the fields of Space Science, Earth Observation and Aeronautics, which were confirmed in this JAXA/ASI Joint Statement expressing mutual interest for identifing the cooperating acitivities in these fields in the years to come.


The outline of this Joint Statement is :
  • To set up a joint ASI/JAXA Agency level Committee at International Relations level for defining and proposing possible areas of cooperation. Both Heads of International Departments will act as co-chair persons of the committee.
  • To set up Thematic Working Group under the Joint Committee.
  • To promote the exchange of scientists and researchers of both countries in the field of the space science.
  • To promote collaboration efforts for Earth Observation, taking into account the Italian and Japanese involvement in the context of GEO (Group on Earth Observation) initiatives.
  • To promote the exchange of information between both experts in the Aerospace and Aeronautics field.
  • To promote the collaboration between the Italian and Japanese space industries.
  • To promote the exchange of students and professors in the field of space in both countries.
The original text is as follows.



Attachment

JOINT STATEMENT

BETWEEN

THE AGENZIA SPAZIALE ITALIANA (ASI)

AND

THE JAPAN AEROSPACE EXPLORATION AGENCY (JAXA)


The Agenzia Spaziale Italiana (ASI) and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA),

RECOGNISING their common interest in the exploration and utilisation of outer space for peaceful purposes;

CONVINCED of the benefits that can be drawn by aerospace activities, in particular, by the space applications for the economic and social development of both countries;

CONVINCED of the relevant role of space in contributing to the establishment of a safe and secure society, in improving the quality of life, and promoting the scientific knowledge;

CONSIDERING the Inter-Governmental Scientific and Technological Agreement between Italy and Japan, signed in Tokyo in 1988;

CONSIDERING the top-level meeting between Prof. Sergio Vetrella, ASI President and Mr. Yamanouchi, JAXA President held on June 7, 2004, in Tokyo;

TAKING INTO ACCOUNT the discussions of the different working level meetings held between ASI and JAXA both in Italy and Japan;

RECOGNISING the friendly relations and collaboration spirit shown in different multilateral meetings, such as within the International Space Station related activities, at the United Nations - "Committee On the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space" (COPUOS), and at "Committee On Earth Observation Satellites" (CEOS), "Integrated Global Observing Strategy" (IGOS), "Group on Earth Observation" (GEO);


HAVE AGREED AS FOLLOWS

  • To set up a joint ASI/JAXA Agency level Committee at International Relations level with the main goal of pursuing consultations and exchange of general views on ASI and JAXA bilateral relationships as well as defining and proposing possible areas of cooperation. Both Heads of International Departments will act as co-chair persons of the committe

  • To set up Thematic Working Group under the Joint Committee;

  • To promote the exchange of scientists and researchers of both countries in the field of the space science in order to investigate potential collaboration for Astrophysics such as High-energy missions AGILE and NeXT;

  • Taking into account the Italian and Japanese involvement in the context of GEO initiatives, to promote collaboration efforts for Earth Observation with the aim of contributing to the prevention and management of natural disasters and the monitoring at the Earth's environment ;

  • To promote the exchange of information between the experts of the JAXA Institute of Space Technology and Aeronautics and ASI and CIRA (Centro Italiano Ricerche Aerospaziali), in order to examine the areas of common interests in the Aerospace and Aeronautics field; in particular a field of activities like Scirocco Arc Jet Testing has jointly been identified and is currently under discussion.

  • To promote the collaboration between the Italian and Japanese space industries;

  • To promote the exchange of students and professors in the field of space in both countries;


The Parties express their confidence that this Joint Statement will further foster and strengthen their cooperative relationship.

Sergio Vetrella
ASI President
ITALIAN SPACE AGENCY


Keiji Tachikawa
JAXA President
JAPAN AEROSPACE EXPLORATION AGENCY


For inquiries:
JAXA Public Affairs Department
Tel: +81-3-6266-6413 to 7, Fax: +81-3-6266-6910