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On June 29, 2021, the Prime Minister held the 24th meeting of the Strategic Headquarters for Space Development at the Prime Minister’s Office.

At the meeting, the participants engaged in discussions on small satellite constellations, priority matters toward the revision of the Implementation Plan of the Basic Plan on Space Policy, and other matters.

Following the discussion, the Prime Minister said,
 
 “Today we decided on priority matters toward the revision of the Implementation Plan of the Basic Plan on Space Policy.
 
Space is a frontier that gives people dreams and hopes. At the same time, it serves as the foundation that underpins the economy and society in the future.
 
The priority matters decided today include the promotion of the development of fundamental technologies, such as the establishment of Japan’s own small satellite constellations that will enable, for example, swift assessments of the state of damage caused by disasters, through making multiple small satellites working together.
 
Moreover, we will push ahead with the world’s first program to bring rocks and other samples from a Martian satellite back to Earth and analyze them, in addition to Hayabusa and Hayabusa 2 projects. We will also continue to play our part in the Artemis program, which involves manned activities on the moon.
 
Furthermore, we will enhance necessary measures based on the priority matters decided today, including the development of space solar power generation that will contribute to achieving the goal of net-zero by 2050 and transport systems that support activities in outer space.
 
I ask the relevant ministers to collaborate with each other on these issues under the leadership of Minister Inoue.”