Tokyo: Space consultations between Japan and Italy commence

The Embassy of Italy in Tokyo has supported the launch of the first Italy-Japan Space Consultations, a new intergovernmental and business bilateral forum promoted by the Heads of Government and coordinated by the Presidency of the Council of Ministers and the Office for Space and Aerospace Policies. The initiative aims to strengthen cooperation in the commercial, industrial, scientific and security-related space sectors.

The Italian delegation, led by General Luigi Riggio (Comint) and comprising representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI), the Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy (MIMIT) and the Italian Space Agency (ASI), is engaging with the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs - represented by Masayuki Takeuchi - and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA).

The mission is taking place on the occasion of the SPEXA - Space Business Expo, where the Italian Trade Agency (ITA) is supporting the numerous Italian SMEs and regional delegations in attendance. The programme includes workshops, B2B meetings and an institutional networking event hosted at the Embassy of Italy, which is contributing to coordination activities and the promotion of the "Sistema Italia".

The consultations come at a time of strong growth in the Japanese space industry, driven by the new H3 launch vehicle, downstream markets, the Artemis programme and in-orbit services. Against this backdrop, Italian companies are positioning themselves as equal technological partners, supported by the Embassy and ITA in relations with key stakeholders such as Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI), IHI Aerospace and NEC Corporation.