午夜剧场

"Would you like to try space law?" About ten years ago, shortly after I obtained a position at a university as a researcher in commercial law, I received this invitation from Professor Souichirou Kozuka of Gakushuin University. For a long time, space activities were primarily state-led, and "space law" referred to a field of international law. As private entities began to enter space activities, experts in commercial law (business law) became involved in space law. Professor Kozuka is a leading figure in "Space Business Jurisprudence." Since I had been researching transport transaction law involving trucks and ships, it seems he reached out to me on the premise that the activity of transporting satellites into outer space would be an extension of that field. Since then, I have continued my research on legal issues related to space business (space travel, launch services, private spaceport operations, etc.).

Recently, I traveled to Wellington, New Zealand, to conduct research on the New Zealand Outer Space and High-altitude Activities Act. New Zealand is a symbolic country where commercial space activities took place even before national ones. The Outer Space and High-altitude Activities Act includes mechanisms to support space business, such as reducing the time and cost required for applications. It served as an extremely helpful example of the role legal systems play in promoting the space industry.

In recent years, Japan has also seen a series of positive news regarding the commercialization of space, such as the enactment of the Space Activities Act, the successful launch of seven satellites by Epsilon-4, and the successful launch of the suborbital rocket MOMO-3 by Interstellar Technologies. As a citizen living in this era, I feel immense joy in witnessing the development of a new industry in real time. Furthermore, as a legal scholar, I feel a sense of mission to continue responding to the legal challenges arising in contemporary society. Fortunately, the era we live in is experiencing scientific and technological progress that allows for the transport of people and goods into outer space. We benefit from various services using satellites (GNSS, remote sensing, satellite communications). Commercialization is an essential step for further advancing space science and technology. The lack of exhaustive legal discussion must not hinder the development of new industries. I intend to continue my research while remaining constantly mindful of this responsibility.