Press Release

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Result of the Twelfth Session of the Asia-Pacific Regional Space Agency Forum (APRSAF-12)

October 13, 2005 (JST)

Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT)
Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)

1. Outline of the Asia-Pacific Regional Space Agency Forum (APRSAF)

APRSAF is an annual international meeting that was established in 1993 in response to a proposal made by Japan to the closing declaration at the Asia-Pacific International Space Year Conference (APIC) in 1992. The meeting is co-hosted by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA).
The APRSAF aims to promote space utilization in the Asian-Pacific region, and many international space-related and government organizations participate in the APRSAF to report each country's activities, exchange information on future projects, and discuss the establishment of specific cooperation activities.
The 12th APRSAF was the first meeting held in Japan in five years as the last four had been held overseas in cooperation with space agencies in the Asia-Pacific region.
The attached Recommendations were adopted at the 12th APRSAF.
For your information, a Water Boost Rocket Competition was also held for young people in Japan and the Asia-Pacific region aiming at promoting and enlightening the public about space-related development.

2. Outline of the Twelfth Session of the Asia-Pacific Regional Space Agency Forum (APRSAF-12)

(1) Date and Place
Between Oct. 11 (Tue) and 13 (Thu), 2005 at the Kitakyusyu International Conference Center

(2) Attendees
From Japan: Mr. Hiroki Matsuo (General Chairperson), Vice Chairman of Space Activities Commission; Mr. Yasutaka Moriguchi, Director General of the Research and Development Bureau of MEXT; and Mr. Keiji Tachikawa, President of JAXA
From Asian-Pacific countries: Presidents of space related organizations, government personnel, participants from organizations using space technology such as disaster preparation agencies and other industrial sectors.

(3) Theme and Contents
Theme: Maximizing Space Benefits for Society
Contents: - Contribution to disaster preparation and reduction using space technology
              - Enlightening the public about space and promoting education using space

(4) Program
Oct. 11: General Session (Opening welcome speech, speeches by each country's delegate)
Oct. 12: Working Group Sessions (Four working group sessions, namely Earth observation, Communication Satellite application, Educational promotion, and ISS, and a special session on disaster reduction using space technology)
Oct. 13: A.M. General Session (Report and recommendation of each group session)
P.M. Technical Tour (Kitakyusyu Eco Town, etc.)




Recommendations of the twelfth session of the Asia-Pacific Regional Space Agency Forum (APRSAF-12)



Stressing the importance of maximizing space benefits for the society through the generation and provision of effective and efficient space-derived information and space-based tools to respond to the needs of end-users,

Recognizing the need to further expand the space community in the region,

Expressing deep condolences for the recent loss of numerous lives and enormous damages suffered in the Asia-Pacific region resulting from earthquakes and tsunamis and recognizing the need to promote space utilization toward the realization of the safe and secure society by minimizing damages caused by natural disasters,

The participants of APRSAF-12 adopted the following recommendations:

  1. To strengthen international cooperation to take concrete actions toward the establishment of a disaster risk management system within the framework of APRSAF, recognizing the timeliness of establishing such a system, with the participation of as many entities as possible such as space agencies, disaster management agencies, as well as relevant regional and international entities;
  2. To take concrete steps toward the establishment of the above disaster risk management system, and as the first step, to implement "Sentinel Asia" pilot project through the formation of the joint project team at the earliest possible date in order to refine the details of the implementation of the project;
  3. To accelerate the promotion of the applications of the Wideband InterNetworking engineering test and Demonstration Satellite (WINDS) for the benefit of Asia-Pacific region, including those for disaster management;
  4. To make continuous efforts to increase awareness among the general public, especially youth, and decision-makers of the importance of space applications to promote sustainable development through variety of education and awareness activities;
  5. To encourage further coordination among countries of Asia-Pacific region to promote the utilization of ISS/JEM, by soliciting concrete proposal for the ISS/JEM utilization and carrying out educational events;
  6. To enhance capacity building activities to strengthen the capability of the Asia-Pacific region to use and benefit from space science and technology and their applications;
  7. To explore possible funding opportunities for the implementation of the recommendations;
  8. To work toward the implementation of actions proposed by the working groups.


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